SEVERE APATHY HINTS AT DEMENTIA

LOSING interest in going out or doing activities could be an early sign of dementia, researchers say.

Scientists at California University in San Francisco found older people with severe apathy are nearly twice as likely to develop the condition than those with a get-up-and-go spirit.

The findings may help identify at-risk individuals for whom lifestyle changes and medications are more likely to work. Lead author Dr Meredith Bock said: we believe apathy may be a very early sign of dementia and it can be evaluated with a brief questionnaire.”