Aboulia

Aboulia

Introduction

Disorders of diminished motivation or DDMs are typically the types of disorders that frequently occur in people who have experienced a traumatic brain injury. Motivation is the primary determinants of adaptation and behavior (Yudofsky et al., 2007). Some of the most common syndromes that fall under the category of diminished motivation are akinetic mutism, apathy, and Aboulia. Based on their etiology, disorders of diminished motivation could either be a primary clinical disturbance, a symptom of another disorder, or a coexisting second disorder. This paper discusses the diminished motivation of individuals suffering from Aboulia, recognizing the underlying causes and symptoms associated with the disorder as well as the mechanism and clinical pathogenesis.

Description

The term Aboulia is of Greek origin and means 'un-will'. In the field of neurology, the word is used to describe a clear lack of initiative or will (Caplan & Bogousslavsky, 2000). Since it is related to the innate inability of an individual to take an initiative, it falls under the category of DDM (Disorder of Diminished Motivation). Aboulia is not an extreme disorder and falls somewhere at the center of the severity of diminished motivation. Therefore, the disorder it is considered to be more serious than apathy but less harmful than other major diminished disorders such as akinetic mutism (Caplan & Bogousslavsky, 2000). Patients suffering from Aboulia find simple tasks such as acting on an idea or making decisions to be daunting and uphill tasks. Hence, they are unable to function independently and are almost entirely dependent on a person for support and guidance. The severity of Aboulia may vary between overwhelming and subtle.

Prevalence Incidence of Aboulia

Aboulia is arguably the most common of all diminished disorders. Its high prevalence rate is also due to the fact that it is commonly found in people suffering from other types of illnesses and syndrome. For example, the prevalence of Aboulia is high in people suffering from schizophrenia, depression, Frontotemporal Dementia, Huntington's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Stroke (Caplan & Bogousslavsky, 2000). Among patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease, physicians report a 25% to 50% instance of lack of motivation. Even though it is also common for such patients to suffer from depression, Aboulia cannot simply be identified as a symptom of depression. This is because more than 50% of all patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease as well as Aboulia are not chronically depressed (Fisher, 2008). Numerous studies have highlighted that the prevalence of Aboulia is most common in cases of sever dementia. This mental condition is the result of reduced metabolic activity in the prefrontal parts of the human brain. Patients suffering from Alzheimer's as well as Aboulia are much older when compared with patients suffering only from a lack of motivation or Alzhemier's disease (Fisher, 2008).

Neuro-chemistry and Neuro-anatomy of Aboulia

Numerous diverse explanations for Aboulia have been recommended. While there is some civil argument about the legitimacy of Aboulia as a divide sickness, specialists generally concur that Aboulia is the consequence of frontal sores and not with cerebellar or brainstem injuries (Stuss ...