I just received a phone call from my husband's Neurologist regarding his PET Scan. He has been diagnosed with Frontal Temporal Dementia. He is now re-evaluating what meds he should be taking. He now takes Namenda & Razadyne ER for memory. Lexpro, Lamictal (for previous seizure problems) & he is adding Keppra for the Myoclonic jerks. I know there are others here who have spouses with FTD, however, I can't remember who they are at this time.
Cholinesterase inhibitors -- such as aricept, exelon, and razadyne -- temporarily increase supplies of the messenger chemical acetylcholine to failing nerves. They do not help FTD, since FTD does not affect nerves in the acetylcholine communication system, and can actually make the symptoms worse.
Namenda is a NMDA antagonist, and reduces the destruction of nerve cells by glutamate. Namenda may offer some benefit in treating FTD, but this is speculative right now (anecdotal evidence, etc.) Clinical trials are under way.
kadee let us know how he does on keppra for the myclonous jerking.? we are on neurontin but if it fails dr mentioned keppra as well for it here too. good luck! glad you got your evaluation, that should help get meds sorted out. divvi
Kadee-you are fortunate to be dealing with a doc who knows his stuff. My husband has FTD and I had to research and fight with everyone to get him off the AD drugs because they made him so much worse. One side effect of arecept was increased agitation-sure didn't need that. A social worker once described FTD as AD on steroids and she wasn't kidding. Good luck/
FTD, Welcome. My husband is 55. He has neither FTD nor Alzeimer's. Brain radiation that has the same symptoms. There was one person here whose husband had brain radiation but she never appeared again. Wish she would come back. It's tough when they are so young.
my dh has eoad but he does take keppra for the myoclonic jerks. he still has them some,but not as severe and as often. he has been on keppra for about 18 months or so. jav