Correlations between stroke and apathy

Apathy is thought to arise from the neurobiological changes of a stroke, as outlined on the slide.¹ However, it is not as simple as stroke directly causing damage to areas of the brain involved in goal-directed behaviours.¹ Rather, there is thought to be a spread of stroke pathology in the brain that can cause apathy over time.¹

References:
1.Tay J, Morris RG, Markus HS. Apathy after stroke: diagnosis, mechanisms, consequences, and treatment. Int J Stroke 2021; 16 (5): 510–518.

Gillian Mead. Personal communication.