Selegiline in the management of apathy following traumatic brain injury.
OBJECTIVE
To provide a brief review of apathy following traumatic brain injury (TBI) and describe the use of selegiline in a group of patients with this symptom.


RESULTS
Four patients are described who showed improvement in Apathy Evaluation Scale scores and functional improvement, following the use of selegiline. In each case, selegiline was well tolerated whereas methylphenidate was not.


CONCLUSIONS
Selegiline shows potential for the management of apathy following TBI. This provides further evidence that impaired dopaminergic processes are prominent in the genesis of these symptoms. However, these findings require confirmation in controlled studies.
Newburn
Gil
G
Rotorua Rehabilitation Clinic, Rotorua, New Zealand. dengil@xtra.co.nz
Newburn
Deborah
D
D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D015259:Dopamine Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D009042:Motivation; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012642:Selegiline / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D015259:Dopamine Agents; D012642:Selegiline