Frontotemporal Dementia
Frontotemporal dementia vs. Alzheimer's
FTD diagnosis and progression
Treatment options and research
What is FTD?
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a group of disorders characterized by progressive damage to the brain’s frontal and temporal lobes. This could lead to a variety of issues, including: Behavioral changes, personality changes and language changes.
It is one of the most common forms of dementia in people under 60, affecting 50,000 to 60,000 people in the U.S.
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What causes FTD?
The exact cause of FTD is unknown. Researchers have linked certain genes with the disease, as well as factors that affect the disease's symptoms, but more research are still needed.
Genes associated with FTD:MAPT, GRN, C9 or F72
Approximately 15-40 percent of FTD cases can be traced back to a genetic cause. When that gene is inherited, the case is known as "familial FTD".
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Next
How do genetics affect FTD?
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Diagnosing FTD
FTD can be detected through neurological exams, MRIs, PET scans, and blood tests. However, it is often misdiagnosed, which explains why a diagnosis takes three to four years on average.
When a patient has significant behavioral or emotional problems, a psychological evaluation is also recommended.
Return
Next
FTD diagnosis and care
Following the announcement of Bruce Willis's dementia diagnosis, Massachusetts General Hospital’s Dr. Brad Dickerson dug into FTD from a caregiver and medical perspective.
"It’s a rare disease. So when you are not gaining access to someone that’s a specialist, it can be difficult to figure out if that’s the right diagnosis or not…usually, a brain MRI scan might be plenty to make a diagnosis confidently of FTD early in the course of the illness, or you might need more specialized testing, like a PET scan, in order to figure it out."
Brad Dickerson
READ MORE
Harvard Medical School
Return
Next
Early signs of FTD
FTD does not have clearly defined stages. Instead, it is a progressive condition where symptoms worsen over time. Below is an account of the early signs of Bruce Willis’s dementia, according to his daughter:
Return
Next
What is aphasia?
"Aphasia is a problem with communication. It can be a problem with expressing yourself linguistically in language, a problem with understanding what other people say to you, or a mix of both. Sooner or later, and in almost everyone with that condition, other cognitive or behavioral symptoms will develop, and that turns into a more general type of dementia."
Brad Dickerson
READ MORE
Harvard Medical School
Return
Next
FTD signs and symptoms
Personality and behavioral changes:
Patients become more impulsive and show poor judgment. They lose interest in daily activities, and behave inappropriately. This is known as behavioral variant FTD (bvFTD).
Speech and language difficulties
Patients have difficulty making or understanding speech, which makes them less responsive. This is known as Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA).
Motor disorders
Patients have tremors, muscle spasms or weakness, rigidity, poor coordination and balance, and difficulty swallowing.
Return
Next
FTD vs. Alzheimer's
Unlike Alzheimer's, FTD patients often experience hallucinations early on, which can be a key indicator in distinguishing between the two conditions.
FTD is typically diagnosed in the 40s to early 60s. Alzheimer's, on the other hand, typically appears in individuals aged 65 and older.
In Alzheimer’s disease, memory loss is often the first symptom. FTD is different: behavioral and language changes set it apart.
Alzheimer's has relatively well-defined stages of development.FTD is a progressive disease where a similar set of symptoms get worse over time.
Return
Next
Treatments for FTD
No cure or progression-slowing treatments are available for FTD. However, there are some measures to slow down the progression of FTD.
Symptoms management
Use of antidepressants, antipsychotics, and sleeping aids to temporarily suppress symptoms.
Supportive care
Manage symptoms and wellbeing through nutrition, sleep, and stress management.
Return
Next
Is it possible to slow down FTD progression?
Exercise: Regular exercise — like jogging, yard work, or walking — and maintaining an active lifestyle have been linked to nearly 50-percent slower progression of FTD.
Cognitive engagement: Intellectual stimulation — reading, writing, learning something new — have all been associated with a slower progression of FTD symptoms.
Socializing: Participating in social activities may contribute to better brain health and slow the progression of FTD.
See our guide to Brain Health and Exercise!
Return
Next
Current Research
Scientists are currently working to understand what causes FTD. They’re studying genetic and environmental factors, exploring disease biomarkers that could help diagnose FTD earlier, and testing drugs and treatments that could help address FTD symptoms and, one day, slow down or prevent the disease.Studies are also underway to better understand the impact of FTD on caregivers.
A number of FTD clinical trials are underway. Learn more at: The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD)
Return
Next
Want to keep learning?
Visit
beingpatient.com
for the latest news and information on brain health and Alzheimer's disease
Return
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Transcript
Frontotemporal Dementia
Frontotemporal dementia vs. Alzheimer's
FTD diagnosis and progression
Treatment options and research
What is FTD?
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a group of disorders characterized by progressive damage to the brain’s frontal and temporal lobes. This could lead to a variety of issues, including: Behavioral changes, personality changes and language changes.
It is one of the most common forms of dementia in people under 60, affecting 50,000 to 60,000 people in the U.S.
Return
Next
What causes FTD?
The exact cause of FTD is unknown. Researchers have linked certain genes with the disease, as well as factors that affect the disease's symptoms, but more research are still needed.
Genes associated with FTD:MAPT, GRN, C9 or F72
Approximately 15-40 percent of FTD cases can be traced back to a genetic cause. When that gene is inherited, the case is known as "familial FTD".
Return
Next
How do genetics affect FTD?
Return
Next
Diagnosing FTD
FTD can be detected through neurological exams, MRIs, PET scans, and blood tests. However, it is often misdiagnosed, which explains why a diagnosis takes three to four years on average.
When a patient has significant behavioral or emotional problems, a psychological evaluation is also recommended.
Return
Next
FTD diagnosis and care
Following the announcement of Bruce Willis's dementia diagnosis, Massachusetts General Hospital’s Dr. Brad Dickerson dug into FTD from a caregiver and medical perspective.
"It’s a rare disease. So when you are not gaining access to someone that’s a specialist, it can be difficult to figure out if that’s the right diagnosis or not…usually, a brain MRI scan might be plenty to make a diagnosis confidently of FTD early in the course of the illness, or you might need more specialized testing, like a PET scan, in order to figure it out."
Brad Dickerson
READ MORE
Harvard Medical School
Return
Next
Early signs of FTD
FTD does not have clearly defined stages. Instead, it is a progressive condition where symptoms worsen over time. Below is an account of the early signs of Bruce Willis’s dementia, according to his daughter:
Return
Next
What is aphasia?
"Aphasia is a problem with communication. It can be a problem with expressing yourself linguistically in language, a problem with understanding what other people say to you, or a mix of both. Sooner or later, and in almost everyone with that condition, other cognitive or behavioral symptoms will develop, and that turns into a more general type of dementia."
Brad Dickerson
READ MORE
Harvard Medical School
Return
Next
FTD signs and symptoms
Personality and behavioral changes:
Patients become more impulsive and show poor judgment. They lose interest in daily activities, and behave inappropriately. This is known as behavioral variant FTD (bvFTD).
Speech and language difficulties
Patients have difficulty making or understanding speech, which makes them less responsive. This is known as Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA).
Motor disorders
Patients have tremors, muscle spasms or weakness, rigidity, poor coordination and balance, and difficulty swallowing.
Return
Next
FTD vs. Alzheimer's
Unlike Alzheimer's, FTD patients often experience hallucinations early on, which can be a key indicator in distinguishing between the two conditions.
FTD is typically diagnosed in the 40s to early 60s. Alzheimer's, on the other hand, typically appears in individuals aged 65 and older.
In Alzheimer’s disease, memory loss is often the first symptom. FTD is different: behavioral and language changes set it apart.
Alzheimer's has relatively well-defined stages of development.FTD is a progressive disease where a similar set of symptoms get worse over time.
Return
Next
Treatments for FTD
No cure or progression-slowing treatments are available for FTD. However, there are some measures to slow down the progression of FTD.
Symptoms management
Use of antidepressants, antipsychotics, and sleeping aids to temporarily suppress symptoms.
Supportive care
Manage symptoms and wellbeing through nutrition, sleep, and stress management.
Return
Next
Is it possible to slow down FTD progression?
Exercise: Regular exercise — like jogging, yard work, or walking — and maintaining an active lifestyle have been linked to nearly 50-percent slower progression of FTD.
Cognitive engagement: Intellectual stimulation — reading, writing, learning something new — have all been associated with a slower progression of FTD symptoms.
Socializing: Participating in social activities may contribute to better brain health and slow the progression of FTD.
See our guide to Brain Health and Exercise!
Return
Next
Current Research
Scientists are currently working to understand what causes FTD. They’re studying genetic and environmental factors, exploring disease biomarkers that could help diagnose FTD earlier, and testing drugs and treatments that could help address FTD symptoms and, one day, slow down or prevent the disease.Studies are also underway to better understand the impact of FTD on caregivers.
A number of FTD clinical trials are underway. Learn more at: The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD)
Return
Next
Want to keep learning?
Visit
beingpatient.com
for the latest news and information on brain health and Alzheimer's disease
Return