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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffThere's no cure for frontotemporal dementia and no effective way to slow its progression. Treatment relies on managing the symptoms.
Medications
- Antidepressants. Some types of antidepressants, such as trazodone (Desyrel, Oleptro), may reduce the behavioral problems associated with frontotemporal dementia. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have also been effective in some cases, although study results have been mixed.
- Antipsychotics. Although antipsychotic drugs are sometimes used to combat the behavioral problems of frontotemporal dementia, side effects can include an increased risk of mortality in older people.
Therapy
People experiencing language difficulties may benefit from speech therapy, to learn alternate strategies for communication.
References
- Ropper AH, et al. Degenerative diseases of the nervous system. In: Ropper AH, et al. Adams and Victor's Principles of Neurology. 9th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3639100&searchStr=frontotemporal+dementia. Accessed Nov. 7, 2010.
- Simon RP, et al. Disorders of cognitive function. In: Simon RP, et al. Clinical Neurology. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=5145195&searchStr=frontotemporal+dementia. Accessed Nov. 7, 2010.
- Randall C. Frontotemporal dementia: Clinical features and diagnosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 7, 2010.
- NINDS Frontotemporal dementia information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/picks/picks.htm. Accessed Nov. 7, 2010.
- Seelaar H, et al. Clinical, genetic and pathological heterogeneity of frontotemporal dementia: a review. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry. In press. Accessed Nov. 7, 2010.
- Kirshner HS. Frontotemporal dementia and primary progressive aphasia: An update. Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports. 2010;10:504.
- Bird TD, et al. Dementia. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies. 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2904115&searchStr=frontotemporal+dementia. Accessed Nov. 7, 2010.
- Shadlen M, et al. Evaluation of cognitive impairment and dementia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 7, 2010.
- Neurological diagnostic tests and procedures. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/misc/diagnostic_tests.htm. Accessed Nov. 7, 2010.
- Press D, et al. Treatment of behavioral symptoms related to dementia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 7, 2010.
- Knopman DS (expert opinion), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Nov. 14, 2010.
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