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.
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