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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, 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.
- Knopman DS. Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/109993418-3/771185545/1492/1426.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2805-5..50430-4--cesec84_18054. Accessed Nov. 12, 2008.
- Shadlen MF, et al. Dementia syndromes. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 12, 2008.
- NINDS frontotemporal dementia information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/picks/picks.htm. Accessed Nov. 12, 2008.
- Josephs KA. Frontotemporal lobar degeneration. Neurologic Clinics. 2007;25:683.
- Petersen R. Mayo Clinic Guide to Alzheimer's Disease. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2006:115.
- Shadlen MF, et al. Evaluation of cognitive impairment and dementia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 12, 2008.
- Neurological diagnostic tests and procedures. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/misc/diagnostic_tests.htm. Accessed Nov. 12, 2008.
- Press D, et al. Treatment of behavioral symptoms related to dementia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 13, 2008.
