OBJECTIVE: To evaluate neurotransmitter deficiencies and neurotransmitter-based treatments for frontotemporal dementia (FTD). METHODS: The authors conducted a systematic review of the literature on the mechanism and treatment of FTD and a meta-analysis of treatment studies of antidepressants for the behavioral symptoms of FTD. RESULTS: Patients with FTD show deficiencies in the serotonin and dopamine neurotransmitter systems, while the acetylcholine system appears relatively intact. Antidepressant treatment significantly improves behavioral symptoms in FTD, but most studies are small and uncontrolled. Serotonergic treatments appear to improve the behavioral but not cognitive symptoms of FTD. CONCLUSIONS: Studies of neurotransmitter deficiencies in frontotemporal dementia (FTD) can be helpful in developing treatments. Treatment studies on FTD are scarce, given the prevalence and severity of this illness. Larger, well-controlled treatment studies are required to reach more definitive conclusions about treatment efficacy. Multicenter studies are likely the best way to complete treatment studies in a timely manner.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate neurotransmitter deficiencies and neurotransmitter-based treatments for frontotemporal dementia (FTD). METHODS: The authors conducted a systematic review of the literature on the mechanism and treatment of FTD and a meta-analysis of treatment studies of antidepressants for the behavioral symptoms of FTD. RESULTS:Patients with FTD show deficiencies in the serotonin and dopamine neurotransmitter systems, while the acetylcholine system appears relatively intact. Antidepressant treatment significantly improves behavioral symptoms in FTD, but most studies are small and uncontrolled. Serotonergic treatments appear to improve the behavioral but not cognitive symptoms of FTD. CONCLUSIONS: Studies of neurotransmitter deficiencies in frontotemporal dementia (FTD) can be helpful in developing treatments. Treatment studies on FTD are scarce, given the prevalence and severity of this illness. Larger, well-controlled treatment studies are required to reach more definitive conclusions about treatment efficacy. Multicenter studies are likely the best way to complete treatment studies in a timely manner.
Authors: Trey Sunderland; Gary Linker; Nadeem Mirza; Karen T Putnam; David L Friedman; Lida H Kimmel; Judy Bergeson; Guy J Manetti; Matthew Zimmermann; Brian Tang; John J Bartko; Robert M Cohen Journal: JAMA Date: 2003 Apr 23-30 Impact factor: 56.272
Authors: Maria Carmela Tartaglia; Bei Hu; Kala Mehta; John Neuhaus; Kristine Yaffe; Bruce L Miller; Adam Boxer Journal: Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord Date: 2014 Apr-Jun Impact factor: 2.703
Authors: Edward D Huey; John C Probasco; Jorge Moll; Jonathan Stocking; Myoung-Hwan Ko; Jordan Grafman; Eric M Wassermann Journal: Clin Neurophysiol Date: 2007-04-23 Impact factor: 3.708
Authors: Alessandra Bizzarro; V Guglielmi; R Lomastro; A Valenza; A Lauria; C Marra; M C Silveri; F D Tiziano; C Brahe; C Masullo Journal: J Neural Transm (Vienna) Date: 2010-03 Impact factor: 3.575
Authors: Adam L Boxer; Michael Gold; Edward Huey; William T Hu; Howard Rosen; Joel Kramer; Fen-Biao Gao; Edward A Burton; Tiffany Chow; Aimee Kao; Blair R Leavitt; Bruce Lamb; Megan Grether; David Knopman; Nigel J Cairns; Ian R Mackenzie; Laura Mitic; Erik D Roberson; Daniel Van Kammen; Marc Cantillon; Kathleen Zahs; George Jackson; Stephen Salloway; John Morris; Gary Tong; Howard Feldman; Howard Fillit; Susan Dickinson; Zaven S Khachaturian; Margaret Sutherland; Susan Abushakra; Joseph Lewcock; Robert Farese; Robert O Kenet; Frank Laferla; Steve Perrin; Steve Whitaker; Lawrence Honig; Marsel M Mesulam; Brad Boeve; Murray Grossman; Bruce L Miller; Jeffrey L Cummings Journal: Alzheimers Dement Date: 2012-10-10 Impact factor: 21.566