Frontotemporal dementia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

(Redirected from Frontal lobe dementia)

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD), also known as frontotemporal degeneration, and historically as Pick’s disease, is a family of progressive neurodegenerative disorders that affect the frontal and temporal lobes.[2] The FTD family includes behavioral variant FTD (bvFTD), primary progressive aphasia (PPA) and its semantic and nonfluent/agrammatic variants (svPPA and nfvPPA)[2], primary progressive apraxia of speech (PPAOS),[3][4] progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), and corticobasal syndrome (CBS)[2]. Through a mutual risk gene, FTD and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) share a clinical spectrum, with it possible for symptoms of both disorders to co-occur.[5] Symptoms of FTD will typically match a specific disorder at first, though symptoms of other disorders will inevitably begin to show as the disease progresses to different areas of the brain[6]. FTD disorders are a common young-onset dementia occurring under the age of 60, often developing when people are raising families and managing careers[7].

Approximately 60% of people diagnosed with FTD have no known cause and no family history of FTD or related conditions; this is known as sporadic FTD. While environmental causes and unidentified gene variants are suspected causes of sporadic FTD, research in this area is still ongoing. When people have a family history of FTD, other dementias, or conditions like depression and anxiety, it is referred to as familial FTD, and roughly 20% have an underlying genetic basis. Variants in three genes are responsible for most genetic FTD. Notably, in about 10% of people with seemingly sporadic FTD, a genetic variant is identified.[8]

FTD diagnosis currently relies on clinical examination based on the signs and symptoms experienced and imaging of the brain through MRI or FTDG-PET. FTD disorders have heterogeneous symptoms and pathological features, which contribute to a lengthy differential diagnostic process and high rates of misdiagnosis. A neuropathological examination after death usually provides a definitive diagnosis by identifying the specific features of FTD subtypes[2].

There is no cure for FTD, nor are any disease-modifying treatments approved that could slow disease progression. The aim of treatment is to manage symptoms, which is primarily accomplished through non-pharmacological interventions such as person-centric care strategies or physical and occupational therapy. Medication can be used to address symptoms like depression or anxiety, but some drugs, like sleep or antipsychotic medicines, carry a considerable risk of side effects for people with FTD[9]. Death is usually the result of complications of FTD, such as pneumonia or fall-related injuries. The average life expectancy after symptoms start is 7-13 years[10].

Signs and symptoms

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is an early onset disorder that mostly occurs between the ages of 45 and 65,[11] but can begin earlier, and in 20–25% of cases onset is later.[12][13] Men and women appear to be equally affected.[14] It is the most common early presenting dementia.[15] FTD is the second most prevalent type of early onset dementia after Alzheimer’s disease.[14][16]

The International Classification of Diseases recognizes the disease as causative to disorders affecting mental and behavioural aspects in humans. Dissociation from family, compulsive buying disorder (oniomania), vulgar speech characteristics, screaming, and inability to control emotions, behavior, personality, or temperament are characteristic social display patterns.[17] The gradual onset and progression of subtle changes in behavior or language deficits commonly leads to a long delay between the onset of symptoms and time of presentation to a neurologist.[14]

- Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frontotemporal_dementia

Do not use AI like this. Wikipedia is more reliable.

TLDR:

Frontotemporal dementia is a family of progressive neurodegenerative disorders that affect the frontal and temporal lobes. Dissociation from family, compulsive buying disorder (oniomania), vulgar speech characteristics, screaming, and inability to control emotions, behavior, personality, or temperament are characteristic social display patterns.