(WISH) — Two highly popular celebrities, award-winning actor Bruce Willis and prominent media personality Wendy Williams, recently came forward with a diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia.
Here's what exactly this disorder is and some important information that may be helpful.
According to DementiaSociety.org, frontotemporal dementia (FTD) refers to a clinical syndrome associated with shrinkage of the frontal and pretemporal lobes of the brain. Originally known as Pick's disease, the name and classification of FTD has been a topic of debate for more than a century. As defined, FTD symptoms fall into two clinical patterns, involving either (1) behavioral changes or (2) language problems.
The first type is characterized by impulsive or boredom and lethargic behavior and includes inappropriate social behavior. Lack of social tact. Lack of empathy. Inattention; loss of insight into one's own or others' behavior. Increased interest in sex. Changes in food preferences. Feeling agitated or, conversely, becoming emotionally dull. Neglect of personal hygiene. Repetitive or compulsive behavior. and decreased energy and motivation.
The second type is primarily characterized by symptoms of language impairment, such as difficulties with speech and comprehension, often combined with symptoms of the behavioral type. Spatial awareness and memory remain intact. This disease has a strong genetic component. FTD often runs in families.
In most cases, frontotemporal dementia (FTD) begins between the ages of 45 and 65. However, in some patients the disease develops very early.
Early onset has been reported, with the onset of neurodegeneration occurring in patients in their 20s and 30s. The youngest age of onset reported so far is 14 years, but it is relatively rare in clinical practice.
The length of progression varies from 2 years to over 20 years. Over time, FTD can make you more susceptible to physical complications such as pneumonia, infections, and injuries from falls. The most common cause of death is pneumonia.
