title: Pharmacological treatments for frontotemporal dementias: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.
abstract: The objective of this review is to summarize the current data on the pharmacological treatments for frontotemporal dementias from randomized controlled trials. A systematic search of 4 major databases, PubMed, Medline, PsychINFO and Cochrane, found a total of 9 randomized controlled, double-blinded clinical trials. Of these, 2 trials used the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), paroxetine; 1 trial used trazodone; 2 trials used stimulants (methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine); 1 trial used the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, galantamine; 2 trials used the N-methyl-d-aspartate antagonist, memantine; and 1 trial used the neuropeptide oxytocin. The analysis of the available data indicates that SSRIs, trazodone, and the amphetamines may be effective in reducing some behavioral symptoms, but none of these medications had an impact on cognition. Available data indicate that these medications were well tolerated in all the trials.
authors.affiliation: 1Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nardell
authors.forename: Rajesh R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Tampi
mesh_terms: D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D015259:Dopamine Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D057180:Frontotemporal Dementia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008559:Memantine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015259:Dopamine Agents; D008559:Memantine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
keywords: frontotemporal dementias; frontotemporal lobar degeneration pharmacological treatments; randomized controlled trial; systematic literature review