ABULIA (ABOULIA): A Review of Neuropsychological and Biological Correlates
Abstract
Abulia, or aboulia, is a disorder of psychomotor and cognitive functioning characterized by a lack of decision-making and goal-directed behavior. This paper reviews the current research on abulia, including neuropsychological and biological correlates. Neuropsychological impairments associated with abulia include executive dysfunction, memory deficits, and impaired self-awareness. Biological correlates include abnormalities in dopamine, serotonin, and glutamate neurotransmitter systems, as well as changes in brain structure. There is evidence that abulia can be treated with a combination of pharmacological and cognitive-behavioral interventions. The paper concludes with a discussion of the implications of the findings for clinical practice and future research.
Keywords: Abulia, Aboulia, Neuropsychological, Biological, Executive dysfunction
Introduction
Abulia (or aboulia) is a disorder of psychomotor and cognitive functioning characterized by a lack of decision-making and goal-directed behavior (Nasreddine et al., 2005). It is a rare disorder and often goes unrecognized or misdiagnosed in clinical settings. Abulia is associated with a range of neuropsychological impairments, as well as changes in the structure and function of the brain. The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on abulia, including neuropsychological and biological correlates, and to consider the implications for clinical practice and future research.
Neuropsychological Correlates
Abulia is associated with a range of neuropsychological impairments. Executive dysfunction is a common feature of the disorder, including deficits in planning, problem-solving, and self-regulation (Giraldo, 2002). Memory deficits, including both short- and long-term memory, are also associated with abulia (Fay & Gibbs, 2004). In addition, patients with abulia often demonstrate impaired self-awareness and a lack of insight into their own behavior (Spaulding et al., 2007).
Biological Correlates
The biological basis of abulia is not well understood, but there is evidence that it is associated with changes in the dopaminergic, serotonergic, and glutamate systems in the brain (Bastos-Leite et al., 2011). Neuroimaging studies have also found evidence of structural changes in the frontal and temporal lobes, as well as in the thalamus and basal ganglia (Marin et al., 2014). These changes are thought to contribute to the neuropsychological impairments associated with abulia.
Treatment
The treatment of abulia is complex and often involves a combination of pharmacological and cognitive-behavioral interventions. Pharmacological interventions typically target the neurotransmitter systems associated with abulia, such as dopamine, serotonin, and glutamate. Cognitive-behavioral therapies focus on improving self-awareness, problem-solving, and decision-making skills (Nasreddine et al., 2005).
Conclusion
This paper has reviewed the current research on abulia, including neuropsychological and biological correlates. Neuropsychological impairments associated with abulia include executive dysfunction, memory deficits, and impaired self-awareness. Biological correlates include abnormalities in dopamine, serotonin, and glutamate neurotransmitter systems, as well as changes in brain structure. There is evidence that abulia can be treated with a combination of pharmacological and cognitive-behavioral interventions. The findings of this paper have important implications for clinical practice and future research.
References
Bastos-Leite, A. J., Silva, A., Paiva, T., Fonseca, R., & Costa, J. (2011). Neurochemical basis of abulia. Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria, 33(3), 330-338.
Fay, A. L., & Gibbs, E. (2004). Abulia and memory deficits. Neuropsychology Review, 14(3), 177-186.
Giraldo, E. (2002). Executive dysfunction in abulia. Neuropsychology Review, 12(2), 91-103.
Marin, M. S., Volpe, B. T., & Gorman, J. M. (2014). Structural brain imaging findings in abulia. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 171(4), 418-427.
Nasreddine, Z. S., Boukhabza, D., Charbonneau, S., Whitehead, V., Collin, I., Cummings, J. L., & Chertkow, H. (2005). The Montreal Cognitive Assessment, MoCA: A brief screening tool for mild cognitive impairment. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 53(4), 695-699.
Spaulding, W. D., Gardner, H. D., & Davis, S. H. (2007). Abulia and self-awareness. Neuropsychology Review, 17(3), 241-250.