Lecture: Psychopharmacology After Brain Injury: Attention, Initiation, and Arousal

Psychopharmacologic agents are best prescribed based on the underlying diagnosis rather than just the symptoms. Before prescribing medications for attention, alertness, and initiation after brain injury, possible contributing pharmacologic agents should be withdrawn if possible. Other therapeutic approaches such as cognitive rehabilitation should be undertaken.

Mel Glenn, MD, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Harvard Medical School, will present the evidence for stimulants, dopaminergic drugs, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, and other drugs used in the treatment of disorders of attention, alertness, and initiation.