The present invention provides a method of treating apathy syndrome in a human subject. The human subject is first evaluated to determine whether one or more behavioral characteristics of apathy are observed. If such characteristics are observed, the subject is treated with a 2-oxopyrrolidine compound, such as nefiracetam, piracetam, aniracetam, pramiracetam, nebracetam, fasoracetam, levetiracetam, or oxiracetam, in an amount effective to produce an improvement in such apathy characteristics. The present invention is useful in treating apathy in a subject suffering from conditions associated with or characterized by frontal-subcortical dysfunction. The present invention is also useful in treating apathy in a subject suffering from a stroke, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, traumatic brain injury, depression, schizophrenia, chronic hepatitis C infection, or HIV infection.
