Treatment of Behavioral Problems with Pindolol

Traumatic brain injury and mood disorders

“…Propranolol and pindolol have been most extensively studied, based on the theory that higher lipophilicity is required for central nervous system effects. [10][11][12][13] The exact mechanism of action is unclear but is theorized to involve a dampening of exaggerated adrenergic responses in patients with TBI, and perhaps additional 5-HT1A partial agonist activity in the case of pindolol. There is increasing evidence of mortality benefits with the use of various beta-blockers immediately post-TBI, though more work is needed to delineate the best timing and selection of agents.…”

Question 3 Should carbamazepine be administered to manage agitation and aggressive behaviour following paediatric acquired brain injury?

“…The 2008 Cochrane review7 of the pharmacological management of agitation and aggression in individuals with ABI identified six randomised controlled trials (RCTs) (Greendyke et al ,8–10 Brooke et al ,11 Mooney and Haas12 and Schneider et al 13), none of which evaluate the use of CBZ. Four of the six RCTs investigated the role of beta-blockers.…”

Psychiatric Symptoms and Behavioral Disturbances in Dementia: A Review of Therapy

“…These have generally been found to be effective in younger patients with evidence of brain damage, and several reports have suggested that pindolol may be effective in dementia. It has the advantage of pure cardiovascular side effects (Greendyke & Kanter, 1986;Greendyke et al, 1989).…”