BMJ  2006;332:745 (1 April), doi:10.1136/bmj.332.7544.745-a

News

Scientists find new disease: motivational deficiency disorder

Sydney

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Extreme laziness may have a medical basis, say a group of high profile Australian scientists, describing a new condition called motivational deficiency disorder (MoDeD).

The condition is claimed to affect up to one in five Australians and is characterised by overwhelming and debilitating apathy. Neuroscientists at the University of Newcastle in Australia say that in severe cases motivational deficiency disorder can be fatal, because the condition reduces the motivation to breathe.

Neurologist Leth Argos is part of the team that has identified the disorder, which can be diagnosed using a combination of positron emission tomography and low scores on a motivation rating scale, previously validated in elite athletes. "This disorder is poorly understood," Professor Argos told the BMJ. "It is underdiagnosed and undertreated."

Professor Argos is an adviser to a small Australian biotechnology company, Healthtec, which is currently concluding phase II trials of indolebant, a cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist. Although . . . [Full text of this article]

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This article has been cited by other articles:

• Paccaud, F. (2007). Implausible diseases and public health. Eur J Public Health 17: 410-410 [Full text]  
• Atkins, D. (2006). New disease: motivational deficiency disorder: study ignores economic benefits.. BMJ 332: 916-916 [Full text]  
• Cliff, J. L (2006). New disease: motivational deficiency disorder: too much effort.. BMJ 332: 916-916 [Full text]  

Rapid Responses:

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It always pays to look at the date!

Gerry Waldron
bmj.com, 31 Mar 2006 [Full text]

April fool?

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Epidemic in Gateshead

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April fool?

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The chronically unsuccessful

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Too much effort

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Ignores economic benefits

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It's true

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MoDeD - not new but rediscovered.

Stephen Head
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Gender and Cross cultural analysis needed

Mary E Black
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April 1st.

Vincent P Edwards
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April Fool- Can I be bovvered?

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Apathy rules OK

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