Objective: The objectives of this research were to determine presence and degree of apathy in patients with cortical and those with subcortical dementia and possible differences in frequency and degree of apathy between them, to examine the correlation between age, sex, education and symptoms of apathy as well as to examine the correlation between apathy and activities of daily life. Study design: cross-sectional study Participants and methods: The research included 13 caregivers of people who suffer from dementia due to Parkinson's disease and 22 caregivers of people who suffer from dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. The research was conducted at the Clinic of Neurology, Clinical Hospital Center Osijek. As a research tool, the socio-demographic survey, The Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale (IADL) were used. Results: Apathy was present in 83% of people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and in 85% of people suffering from Parkinson’s disease. There were no statistically significant differences in frequency and degree of apathy between those two groups. People suffering from cortical dementia had more difficulties in certain areas measured with apathy scale. For them, apathy was also a significant factor of disturbance in instrumental activities of daily life. Duration of symptoms in cortical dementia was correlated with the severity in cognitive, emotional and other functions. There were no significant differences in severity of apathy according to age, gender and education. Conclusion: Apathy was present in both groups of patients. There were no differences in frequency and apathy degree between them. Demographic factors had no influence on the severity of apathy. In cortical dementia, apathy had an effect on activities of daily life. Activities of day-to-day living had no significant influence on apathy.