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First Fellowship to investigate APATHY IN DEMENTIA Apathy is one of the most common and distressing behavioural symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. A lthough it affects up to 70 per cent of people with dementia, it is often overlooked, with research historically focusing more on memory loss and cognitive decline. Dr Lee-Anne Morris, a cognitive neuroscientist at the University of Otago in Christchurch, has been awarded a prestigious First Fellowship to investigate apathy in people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Far more than low mood, apathy can cause people to stop pursuing hobbies, withdraw from social interactions, or appear emotionally flat. Cholinesterase inhibitors, a class of medications often prescribed to people with dementia, increase motivation in some people, but they don’t work for everyone. “Medications help some people with apathy, but not others,” says Lee-Anne. “I want to understand why – and whether we can predict who will respond, so we can tailor treatments but also so that we can better understand the neurobiology of apathy.” Participants in the study will come mostly from the Canterbury region and will undergo brain imaging and a series of cognitive tasks to measure decision-making processes, including reward and effort cost processing – key aspects of motivation. “This Fellowship is a blessing,” Lee-Anne says. “It allows me to continuemy work on apathy with the research team I’m currently part of, as well as to establish the Canterbury cognitive disorders research clinic as part of a broader programme.” A First Fellowship is the next step after a PhD and supports outstanding early-career researchers under the guidance of a senior academic. Lee-Anne’s PhD was ranked in the top 10 per cent of theses at the University of Otago’s Division of Health Sciences, placing her among the most promising young scientists in her field. She will be mentored by neurologist Dr Campbell Le Heron, a leading expert in motivation disorders in neurodegenerative diseases and the clinical lead of the Canterbury cognitive disorders clinic. Both Lee-Anne and Campbell are also part of the NZ Brain Research Institute in Christchurch. “This Fellowship is a blessing. It allows me to continuemywork on apathywith the research team I’mcurrently part of, as well as to establish the Canterbury cognitive disorders research clinic as part of a broader programme.” Dr Lee-Anne Morris 18 Headlines