Disease: Frontotemporal dementia

Overview

Frontotemporal dementia (frontotemporal lobar degeneration) is an umbrella term for a diverse group of uncommon disorders that primarily affect the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain — the areas generally associated with personality, behavior and language.

In frontotemporal dementia, portions of these lobes shrink (atrophy). Signs and symptoms vary, depending upon the portion of the brain affected.

Some people with frontotemporal dementia undergo dramatic changes in their personality and become socially inappropriate, impulsive or emotionally indifferent, while others lose the ability to use language.

Frontotemporal dementia is often misdiagnosed as a psychiatric problem or as Alzheimer's disease. But frontotemporal dementia tends to occur at a younger age than does Alzheimer's disease, generally between the ages of 40 and 45.

Frontotemporal dementia care at Mayo Clinic

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Symptoms

Identifying precisely which diseases fall into the category of frontotemporal dementia presents a particular challenge to scientists. The signs and symptoms may vary greatly from one individual to the next. Researchers have identified several clusters of symptoms that tend to occur together and are dominant in subgroups of people with the disorder.

More than one symptom cluster may be apparent in the same person.

The signs and symptoms of frontotemporal dementia progressively worsen with time, almost always over years. Eventually, people require 24-hour care.

Behavioral changes

The most common signs and symptoms of frontotemporal dementia involve extreme changes in behavior and personality. These include:

  • Increasingly inappropriate actions
  • Loss of empathy and other interpersonal skills
  • Lack of judgment and inhibition
  • Apathy
  • Repetitive compulsive behavior
  • A decline in personal hygiene
  • Changes in eating habits, predominantly overeating
  • Oral exploration and consumption of inedible objects
  • Lack of awareness of thinking or behavioral changes

Speech and language problems

Some subtypes of frontotemporal dementia are marked by the impairment or loss of speech and language difficulties.

Two types of primary progressive aphasia are considered frontotemporal dementia. Primary progressive aphasia is characterized by an increasing difficulty in using and understanding written and spoken language. For example, people may have trouble finding the right word to use in speech or naming objects.

Semantic dementia is one type of primary progressive aphasia. It's also known as semantic variant primary progressive aphasia. Individuals with semantic dementia have prominent difficulty naming (anomia) and may replace a specific word with a more general word such as "it" for pen. They may also lose knowledge of word meaning.

Progressive agrammatic (nonfluent) aphasia is another type of primary progressive aphasia characterized by nonfluent and hesitant speech. Speech may sound telegraphic with misuse of pronouns and errors in sentence construction.

Movement disorders

Rarer subtypes of frontotemporal dementia are characterized by problems with movement, similar to those associated with Parkinson's disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Movement-related signs and symptoms may include:

  • Tremor
  • Rigidity
  • Muscle spasms
  • Poor coordination
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Muscle weakness

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Causes

In frontotemporal dementia, the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain shrink. Usually, the cause is unknown.

A variety of mutations on several different genes have been linked to specific subtypes of frontotemporal dementia. However, more than half the people who develop frontotemporal dementia have no family history of dementia.

Frontotemporal lobar degeneration is divided into two main subtypes, one involving the accumulation in the brain of a protein called tau and one involving the protein TDP-43.

In some cases, the affected parts of the brain contain microscopic abnormal tau protein-filled structures that develop within brain cells (Pick bodies). Frontotemporal dementia was once known as Pick's disease, but now that terminology is reserved for the subtype that actually features these abnormal structures.

Recently, researchers have confirmed shared genetics and molecular pathways between frontotemporal dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The importance of these connection is currently under investigation.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Diagnosis

No single test can identify frontotemporal dementia, so doctors attempt to identify certain characteristic features while excluding other possible causes.

The disorder can be especially challenging to diagnose in the early stages, as symptoms of frontotemporal dementia often overlap with those of other conditions.

Blood tests

To see if your symptoms are being caused by a different condition, such as liver or kidney disease, your doctor may order blood tests.

Neuropsychological testing

Sometimes doctors undertake a more extensive assessment of reasoning and memory skills. This type of testing is especially helpful in determining the type of dementia at an early stage.

Brain scans

By looking at images of the brain, doctors may be able to pinpoint any visible abnormalities — such as clots, bleeding or tumors — that may be causing signs and symptoms.

  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An MRI machine uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field to produce detailed images of your brain.
  • Positron emission tomography (PET). PET scans use a small amount of low-dose radioactive material that's injected into a vein to help visualize blood sugar metabolism in the brain, which can help identify frontal or temporal lobe brain abnormalities.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Lifestyle and home remedies

You'll need to have caregivers as your condition progresses, to assist with daily life activities, maintain your safety, provide transportation and help with finances.

Your doctor will discuss lifestyle changes with you, such as when you may need to stop driving a car.

Regular cardiovascular exercise may help improve your mood and thinking skills.

It may be helpful to make some adjustments in your home to make daily living tasks easier and reduce your chance of injuries, such as removing rugs or raising toilets.

In some cases, caregivers can reduce behavior problems by changing the way they interact with people with dementia. Examples include:

  • Avoiding events or activities that trigger the undesirable behavior
  • Anticipating needs and meeting them promptly
  • Maintaining a calm environment
  • Providing structured routines
  • Simplifying daily tasks
  • Using humor

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Coping and support

If you've been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, receiving support, care and compassion from people you trust can be invaluable.

Through your doctor or the internet, find a support group for people with frontotemporal dementia. A support group can provide valuable information tailored for your needs as well as a forum that gives you the opportunity to share your experiences and feelings.

For caregivers

Caring for someone with frontotemporal dementia can be challenging and stressful because of the extreme personality changes and behavioral problems that often develop. It may be helpful to educate others about behavioral symptoms and what they can expect when spending time with your loved one.

Caregivers need assistance from family members, friends and support groups, or respite care provided by adult care centers or home health care agencies.

Caregivers should remember to take care of their health, exercise, eat a healthy diet and manage their stress. Participating in hobbies outside the home may help ease some stress. It may be helpful to educate others about behavioral symptoms and what they can expect when spending time with your loved one.

When a person with frontotemporal dementia requires 24-hour care, most families turn to nursing homes. Plans made ahead of time will make this transition easier and may allow the person to be involved in the decision-making process.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Risk factors

Your risk of developing frontotemporal dementia is higher if you have a family history of dementia. There are no other known risk factors.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

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