Clomipramine in the treatment of compulsive behavior in frontotemporal dementia: a case series.
Compulsive behaviors in patients with behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) occur frequently and are challenging to manage. We report three cases of probable bvFTD associated with compulsive behaviors that responded well to treatment with clomipramine at daily dosages varying from 20 to 175 mg. The titration approach involved an initial 10-mg dose that was subsequently increased in 10 mg increments on a weekly basis until symptom relief without intolerable side effects. Our case series supports the consideration for a therapeutic trial with clomipramine in bvFTD when compulsive behavior occurs in these patients. It also highlights the need for further research on pharmacological treatments in bvFTD.
*Division of Genetics and Development, Toronto Western Research Institute ¶Division of Neurology, University Health Network †Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, University of Toronto ‡Lyndhurst Centre, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute ∥Division of Neurology, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto §Division of Neurology, Sam & Ida Ross Memory Clinic, Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Julio C
JC
Furlan
Alexandre
A
Henri-Bhargava
Morris
M
Freedman
D000368:Aged; D002997:Clomipramine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003192:Compulsive Behavior / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D057180:Frontotemporal Dementia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D002997:Clomipramine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors