Apathy is defined as a lack of motivation accompanied by reduced goal-directed cognition, behaviour and emotional involvement that occurs in a host of neuropsychiatric, medical and druginduced conditions without detectable structural brain abnormalities. The impact of several different medications has been investigated, but few reports have used well-controlled study designs. Various small studies have indicated that psychostimulants, dopaminergics and cholinesterase inhibitors might be of benefit for treatment of apathy. Currently, there is no current consensus about apathy treatment, and information on pharmacotherapy mainly depends upon underlying etiology and background disease. Well-controlled clinical trials of potentially helpful pharmacologic and psychological interventions for apathy are essential before any firm recommendations can be made.