2011 issue 4

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Volume 20, issue 4

Case report

Post-stroke apathy syndrome – case report and review of the literature

Jan P. Bembenek1, Joanna Szutkowska-Hoser1
1. II Klinika Neurologii, Instytut Psychiatrii i Neurologii, Warszawa
Postępy Psychiatrii i Neurologii 2011; 20(4): 297–301
Keywords: apathy syndrome, abulia, akinetic mutism, brain stroke

Abstract

Objectives. Although constituents of the apathy syndrome including decreased activity, initiative and interests are relatively often seen in post-stroke patients, this syndrome is seldom diagnosed. A case of this syndrome is reported in the paper.
Case report. Relatively isolated apathy syndrome in a post-stroke patient is described, and a review of the relevant literature is presented.
Commentary. Apathy considerably impairs the patient's post-stroke functioning. At present there are scarce literature data concerning effectiveness of rehabilitation of patients with this disorder.

Address for correspondence:
Dr Jan Bembenek
II Klinika Neurologii Instytut Psychiatrii i Neurologii
ul. Sobieskiego 9, 02‒957 Warszawa
e-mail: jbembenek@o2.pl
tel.: 022‒4582872
fax.: 022‒8424023