Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)

FACTS

• Involves the parts of the brain behind the forehead or behind the ears
• Typically occurs between ages 40 and 65, accounting for less than 5% of all dementias

RISK FACTORS

• Roughly 1/3 of FTD patients have inherited the disease
• Personal history of motor neuron disease such as ALS

SYMPTOMS

• Memory loss is a later sign
• Delusions and hallucinations are uncommon
• Types
  • Behavior variant
    • Dramatic changes in personality
    • Apathy and social withdrawal
    • Loss of impulse and behavior control and will say unexpected, rude, or odd things to others
    • Loss of inhibitions involving food, drink, sex, emotions, and actions
    • Sugar craving
  • Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) variant
    • Language affected – Can’t find the word they want to say (expressive aphasia) and/or can’t understand what is said (receptive aphasia)
    • Uses nonsense words
  • Movement disorder with or without behavior variant or PPA
    • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease – Muscle wasting and weakness
    • Corticobasal syndrome – Loss of coordination of hands and legs
    • Progressive Supranuclear Palsy – Muscle stiffness and changes in posture and eye movements

DIAGNOSIS

• Assessment through review of medical history and medications, observations during the appointment, and interviews with family or close friends
• Physical and neurological exam, including memory test
• A possible PET imaging brain scan or an MRI of the brain

TREATMENT

• No medications are currently available to treat or prevent FTD
• Medications may alleviate or lessen some behaviors including agitation, irritability, and depression