The purpose of this study is to test the effects of a medication called tolcapone (Tasmar) on the symptoms of frontotemporal dementia. Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is an umbrella term for a group of diseases that affect the frontal and anterior temporal lobes of the brain. This includes the frontal variant, primary progressive aphasia, and semantic dementia.

Dopamine is a chemical that occurs naturally in the brain.  It is important for thinking and behavior. Research studies have shown that people with FTD may have too little dopamine in certain areas of their brains.  There is currently no medication that can improve symptoms of FTD.  Tolcapone is a medication that is Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved to treat Parkinson’s disease, a disease that also has low levels of dopamine in the brain. Tolcapone can increase the amount of dopamine in the brain, as shown in patients with Parkinson’s disease.  In this study, we will examine whether tolcapone can improve memory and thinking in people with FTD. The use of tolcapone is experimental (not FDA-approved) for the treatment of FTD.  This study will also look at the effects of tolcapone on brain activity using functional MRI.