Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a group of neurodegenerative disorders characterized by progressive damage to the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. These regions are associated with personality, behavior, and language.
FTD typically manifests in mid-life, usually between the ages of 40 and 65, although it can occur earlier or later. Unlike Alzheimer’s disease, which primarily affects memory in its early stages, FTD primarily affects behavior, personality, and language abilities.
There are several subtypes of frontotemporal dementia, including:
- Behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD): This subtype is characterized by changes in behavior, personality, and social conduct. Individuals may exhibit socially inappropriate behaviors, lack of empathy, disinhibition, apathy, or repetitive compulsive behaviors.
- Primary progressive aphasia (PPA): This subtype primarily affects language abilities. There are three variants of PPA: agrammatic variant PPA (difficulty with grammar and fluency), semantic variant PPA (difficulty with word meaning and comprehension), and logopenic variant PPA (difficulty with word retrieval and repetition).
- Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and corticobasal syndrome (CBS): These are subtypes of FTD that often involve movement disorders, such as stiffness, tremors, and difficulty with balance and coordination.
The exact cause of frontotemporal dementia is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. There is currently no cure for FTD, but treatments are available to help manage symptoms and improve quality of life for individuals with the condition.