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Meta-Analysis
. 2006 Jan 10;66(1):17-22.
doi: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000191304.55196.4d.

A systematic review of neurotransmitter deficits and treatments in frontotemporal dementia

Edward D Huey  1 , Karen T Putnam, Jordan Grafman
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

A systematic review of neurotransmitter deficits and treatments in frontotemporal dementia

Edward D Huey et al. Neurology. .

Abstract

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.

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Figures

Figure
Figure
Effects of treatment on the Neuropsychiatric Inventory in patients with frontotemporal dementia. Numbers are references. Bars represent 95% CIs. Size of symbol represents sample size.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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