Sertraline for the Treatment of Patients With Frontal Lobe Dementia (FLD)

NCT00001777 | Completed Phase 1

• 2 other identifiers: 98004698-N-0046
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 30
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Dementia refers to a condition where there is a loss of intellectual function (cognition). It is usually a progressive condition that interferes with normal social and occupational activities. Patients with frontal lobe dementia (FLD) suffer from a destruction of the brain cells found in the frontal lobe of the brain. Loss of frontal lobe neurons can cause changes in personality, such as aggressiveness, agitation, and depression. In addition, patients with FLD may have difficulty planning tasks and may have a loss of motivation. Researchers believe that the cells lost in the frontal lobe of the brain are responsible for producing a chemical called serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, which means it is used by neurons to communicate with other neurons. Researchers are inclined to believe that by replacing the missing serotonin, symptoms of FLD may be relieved. Drugs known as serotonin uptake inhibitors, help to maintain high levels of serotonin in the body. They have been used successfully to treat patients with depression and patients with violent / impulsive behaviors. Sertraline is a serotonin reuptake blocker that is relatively easy to give (once daily), is safer than most other serotonin reuptake blockers (very little effect on vital enzyme systems \[cytochrome P-450\]), and has few interactions with other drugs. This study is designed to test the effectiveness of Sertraline for the treatment of symptoms associated with FLD. Patients participating in the study will receive Sertraline for 6 weeks and a placebo "inactive sugar pill" for 6 weeks. During the study, researchers will test psychological and neurological functions to measure the effects of the drug.

Conditions

Dementia

Keywords

Frontal Lobe Dementia; Serotonergic Transmission

Interventions

Sertraline DRUG

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

Characterized as having behavioral manifestations using a standardized neuropsychiatric scale and interview. FLD patients' frontal cognitive sysfunctions characterized using a short neurobehavioral test battery. Patients must be able to be tested and cooperative with the procedures required in this protocol. No contraindications to the use of Sertraline. No medical conditions that can reasonably be expected to subject the patient to unwarranted risk (e.g., cancer) or require frequent changes in medication. Well-controlled medical conditions such as hypertension and diabetes will not be excluded. Patients must not be pregnant or nursing and must be using effective contraception, if still at child-bearing age. No history of prior severe traumatic brain injury or other severe neurologic or psychiatric condition, such as psychosis, stroke, multiple sclerosis, or spinal cord injury. Not using any psychotropic medication which cannot be stopped 4 weeks before the study.

Contact the study team to discuss eligibility requirements. They can help determine if this study is right for you.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS): lead

Study Sites (1)

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States

Location

Related Publications (3)

• Litvan I, Agid Y, Sastry N, Jankovic J, Wenning GK, Goetz CG, Verny M, Brandel JP, Jellinger K, Chaudhuri KR, McKee A, Lai EC, Pearce RK, Bartko JJ. What are the obstacles for an accurate clinical diagnosis of Pick's disease? A clinicopathologic study. Neurology. 1997 Jul;49(1):62-9. doi: 10.1212/wnl.49.1.62.

  PMID: 9222171 BACKGROUND

• Sparks DL, Danner FW, Davis DG, Hackney C, Landers T, Coyne CM. Neurochemical and histopathologic alterations characteristic of Pick's disease in a non-demented individual. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol. 1994 Jan;53(1):37-42. doi: 10.1097/00005072-199401000-00005.

  PMID: 8301318 BACKGROUND

• Swartz JR, Miller BL, Lesser IM, Darby AL. Frontotemporal dementia: treatment response to serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors. J Clin Psychiatry. 1997 May;58(5):212-6.

  PMID: 9184615 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Dementia

Interventions

Sertraline

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Neurocognitive Disorders; Mental Disorders

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

1-Naphthylamine; Amines; Organic Chemicals; Naphthalenes; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; Hydrocarbons, Aromatic; Hydrocarbons, Cyclic; Hydrocarbons; Polycyclic Compounds

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: phase 1
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Sponsor Type: NIH

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 3, 1999
• First Posted: December 10, 2002
• Study Start: December 1, 1997
• Study Completion: May 1, 2000
• Last Updated: March 4, 2008

Record last verified: 1998-11

Locations

US (1)