Treatment efficacy of pharmacotherapies for frontotemporal dementia: a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background The neuropsychiatric symptoms of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) have a profound negative impact on disease outcomes and care burden. Available pharmacotherapies might be supported by small-scale randomized controlled trials (RCTs); however, clinical recommendations might not be conclusive. Methods We systematically searched several databases from inception to April 30, 2022, for RCTs of drug therapy in patients with FTD and neuropsychiatric symptoms (primary outcome). Secondary outcomes included changes in caregiver stress, daily interactive activities, cognitive function, and acceptability (adverse event or dropout rates). The network meta-analysis (NMA) procedure was performed under the frequency model, showing effect sizes as standardized mean differences (SMD) or odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Results Seven RCTs with 243 participants were included. Compared with placebo, high-dose oxytocin (72 international units) was associated with the greatest improvement in patients' neuropsychiatric symptoms (SMD = −1.17, 95% CIs = −2.25 to −0.08, z = −2.10, p = 0.035). Piracetam significantly worsened neuropsychiatric symptoms (SMD = 3.48, 95% CIs = 1.58 to 5.37, z = 3.60, p < 0.001) and caregiver stress (SMD = 2.40, 95% CIs = 0.80–4.01, z = 2.94, p = 0.003). Trazodone had significantly higher rates of adverse events (OR = 9.53, 95% CIs = 1.85–49.20, z = 2.69, p = 0.007). No pharmacological intervention significantly benefited cognitive function. Conclusions This study provides the first NMA for clinical recommendation to support the use of high-dose oxytocin and caution regarding the use of piracetam for neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with FTD.