Introduction
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a rare, progressive brain disorder that causes memory loss. FTD describes a range of diseases that often start with changes in behavior, speech, and decision-making processes. As FTD progresses, it affects short-term memory. Over time, FTD causes the frontal and temporal anterior lobes of the brain to shrink. These are the parts of the brain that control behavior and speech.
There are three main types of FTD:
Behavioral variant FTD. This is the most common type and was previously called Pick disease.
Progressive agrammatic aphasia.
Semantic variant primary progressive aphasia.
FTD is one of the most common causes of progressive memory loss in people younger than 60 years. The disease progresses …show more content…
Loss of vocabulary.
New drug or alcohol abuse
Short-term memory loss is also a symptom later in the disease.
How is this diagnosed?
Your health care provider may suspect FTD if you have worsening behavior or speech difficulties. You may need to see specialists in brain and behavioral health. The following tests may be done:
Blood tests to rule out other causes, like vitamin deficiency, harmful effects of substances (toxicities), and infections.
Spinal tap (lumbar puncture) to check spinal fluid samples for abnormal proteins.
Imaging studies, such as an MRI, to take pictures of the brain. These can show brain changes that suggest FTD or another brain disorder.
Memory testing (neuropsychological testing) ,which involves several hours of standardized tests to check the many functions of the brain.
How is this treated?
There is no cure for this condition and the progression of FTD cannot be stopped. Support at home is the most important aspect of managing FTD. Ask about caregiving resources in your community.
Management of this condition may include:
Antidepressants to help with apathy.
Medicines to treat pseudobulbar affect
Sedative medicines to control aggressive or dangerous behavior.
Speech and language
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a rare, progressive brain disorder that causes memory loss. FTD describes a range of diseases that often start with changes in behavior, speech, and decision-making processes. As FTD progresses, it affects short-term memory. Over time, FTD causes the frontal and temporal anterior lobes of the brain to shrink. These are the parts of the brain that control behavior and speech.
There are three main types of FTD:
Behavioral variant FTD. This is the most common type and was previously called Pick disease.
Progressive agrammatic aphasia.
Semantic variant primary progressive aphasia.
FTD is one of the most common causes of progressive memory loss in people younger than 60 years. The disease progresses …show more content…
Loss of vocabulary.
New drug or alcohol abuse
Short-term memory loss is also a symptom later in the disease.
How is this diagnosed?
Your health care provider may suspect FTD if you have worsening behavior or speech difficulties. You may need to see specialists in brain and behavioral health. The following tests may be done:
Blood tests to rule out other causes, like vitamin deficiency, harmful effects of substances (toxicities), and infections.
Spinal tap (lumbar puncture) to check spinal fluid samples for abnormal proteins.
Imaging studies, such as an MRI, to take pictures of the brain. These can show brain changes that suggest FTD or another brain disorder.
Memory testing (neuropsychological testing) ,which involves several hours of standardized tests to check the many functions of the brain.
How is this treated?
There is no cure for this condition and the progression of FTD cannot be stopped. Support at home is the most important aspect of managing FTD. Ask about caregiving resources in your community.
Management of this condition may include:
Antidepressants to help with apathy.
Medicines to treat pseudobulbar affect
Sedative medicines to control aggressive or dangerous behavior.
Speech and language