Semantic dementia; Dementia - semantic; Frontotemporal dementia; Arnold Pick's disease

There is no specific treatment for Pick's disease. Certain antidepressants and antipsychotics may help manage mood swings related to Pick's disease, but further research is needed.

Sometimes patients with Pick's take the same medications used to treat other types of dementia, such as medications that decrease the breakdown of the chemical messenger, acetylcholine (anticholinesterase inhibitors), and memantine. However, there is no conclusive evidence that these help.

In some cases, stopping or changing medications that worsen confusion or that are not essential can improve thinking and other cognitive functions. This may include medications such as:

• Analgesics
• Anticholinergics
• Central nervous system depressants
• Cimetidine
• Lidocaine

It's important to treat any disorders that contribute to confusion. These may include:

• Anemia
• Decreased oxygen (hypoxia) levels
• Heart failure
• High carbon dioxide levels
• Infections
• Kidney failure
• Liver failure
• Nutritional disorders
• Thyroid disorders
• Psychiatric conditions such as depression

Treating any medical and psychiatric disorders often helps improve mental function.

Medications may be needed to control aggressive, dangerous, or agitated behaviors.

Some patients may benefit from hearing aids, glasses, cataract surgery, or other treatments.

Behavior modification can help some people control unacceptable or dangerous behaviors. This consists of rewarding appropriate or positive behaviors and ignoring inappropriate behaviors (when it's safe to do so).

Formal psychotherapy treatment doesn't always work, because it can cause further confusion or disorientation.

Reality orientation, which reinforces environmental and other cues, may help reduce disorientation.

Depending on the symptoms and severity of the disease, the patient may need monitoring and help with personal hygiene and self-care. Eventually, there may be a need for 24-hour care and monitoring at home or in a special facility. Family counseling can help the person cope with the changes needed for home care.

Care may include:

Images

Central nervous system

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Pick’s disease Symptoms

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Pick’s disease Prevention

Review Date: 03/28/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Luc Jasmin, MD, PhD, Department of Neurosurgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, and Department of Anatomy at UCSF, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)