An Interesting Case of Chronic Isolated Apathetic Syndrome



Sandhya Manorenj1*, Rindha V Rao1 and Reshma Sultana Shaik2

1 Department of Neurology, Princess Esra Hospital, Deccan College of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, India.

2 Department of Neurology, Nizams Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, India.

*Corresponding Author: Prof. Sandhya Manorenj, Department of Neurology, Princess Esra Hospital, Deccan College of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, India.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.58624/SVOANE.2024.05.0124

Received: December 17, 2023     Published: January 10, 2024

 

Abstract

An apathy syndrome is defined as a syndrome of primary motivational loss, that is, loss of motivation not attributable to emotional distress, intellectual impairment, or a diminished level of consciousness. The main anatomical correlate of apathy is the medial frontal lobe. Here we report a case of a 49-year-old male who presented with a history of lack of interest for the past 10 months without any other neurological symptoms. He was diagnosed with depression and was receiving treatment from multiple psychiatrists. In view of his persistent symptoms, he approached us and was evaluated. Examination showed anosmia with apathy that paved the way to the orbitofrontal location of the lesion. Psychiatric symptoms may be an unusual presentation of a space-occupying lesion of brain. Strong suspicion and imaging the brain is indicated in all cases to prevent the unnecessary use of psychiatric medicines and their complications.

Keywords: Apathy, depression, meningioma, anosmia

Citation: Manorenj S, Rao RV, Shaik RS. An Interesting Case of Chronic Isolated Apathetic Syndrome. SVOA Neurology 2024, 5:1, 37-40.