Effects of Cognitive and Depressive Status on Empathy in Healthy Elderly, Amnestic MCI, and Dementia of the Alzheimer's Type.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Empathy comprises cognitive and emotional components. However, the impairments in empathy among individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia of the Alzheimer's type (DAT) are not well understood, particularly in the context of depression, which may exacerbate these deficits. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of neurodegeneration and depression on empathetic abilities.

Methods

The study included 31 healthy elderly (HE) individuals, 30 patients with amnestic multi-domain MCI (amMCI), and 30 patients with DAT. Empathy was assessed using the Korean-Multifaceted Empathy Test (K-MET), and the Interpersonal Response Index (IRI). Participants were classified as depressed or non-depressed using the Geriatric Depression Scale. A two-way M

SUBMITTER: Yang S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11813555 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature