Frontotemporal Dementia: Neurotransmitter and Clinical Symptoms with Focus on Therapeutic Targets. Fortschritte der Neurologie-Psychiatrie [Fortschr Neurol Psychiatr] Journal article

Frontotemporal dementia is more frequently diagnosed because of revised diagnostic procedures. Due to the lack of pharmacological trials it is a disease that is difficult to manage in the way of evidence based medicine. Deficits in serotonergic and dopaminergic signaltransmission are well known. The cholinergic system does not seem to be affected. Case reports and clinical trials show a benefit by using antidepressants, neuroleptics and mood stabilizers. Nevertheless only paroxetine, trazodone and rivastigmine are tested by double-blind, placebo-controlled studies. While paroxetin shows inconsistent data, trazodone improves behavioural symptoms. Patients report a treatment-emergent adverse effect including fatigue, dizziness and hypotension. Rivastigmine leads to a significant decrease in the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Score. Finally, we present a two-cases-report that shows improve of disease symptoms under treatment with repetitive transcranial magnet stimulation.

Fortschritte der Neurologie-Psychiatrie [Fortschr Neurol Psychiatr]