Frontotemporal Dementia – Symptoms and Causes
Overview
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) refers to a collection of brain disorders that primarily damage the frontal and temporal lobes. These brain regions control personality, social behavior, and language abilities.
The condition causes these brain areas to shrink (atrophy), leading to noticeable changes in behavior and abilities. Symptoms vary depending on which parts of the brain are affected.
Many patients experience significant personality shifts, becoming socially inappropriate or emotionally detached. Others struggle with language skills, finding it difficult to speak or understand words.
Common FTD Characteristics
- Early onset (typically 40-65 years)
- Personality and behavior changes
- Language difficulties
- Progressive brain tissue loss
- Different from Alzheimer’s disease
Signs of Frontotemporal Dementia
Frontotemporal dementia causes various symptoms that worsen over time. These symptoms typically appear in groups and vary between individuals. A person may experience symptoms from more than one category.
Changes in Behavior
People with frontotemporal dementia often show major shifts in personality and behavior, including:
- Social inappropriateness that increases over time
- Reduced empathy and inability to recognize others’ feelings
- Poor decision-making abilities
- Loss of normal inhibitions
- General disinterest in activities (sometimes confused with depression)
- Repetitive actions like tapping, clapping, or lip-smacking
- Neglect of personal cleanliness
- Altered eating patterns, particularly overeating or craving sweets and carbs
- Putting non-food items in the mouth
- Oral fixation with objects
Language Difficulties
Several types of frontotemporal dementia affect speech and language abilities:
- Word-finding problems when speaking or writing
- Naming difficulties (using general terms (like “thing”) instead of specific words)
- Loss of word comprehension
- Simplified speech with basic, short sentences
- Grammar mistakes in conversation
Movement Problems
Some rare forms of frontotemporal dementia cause movement difficulties similar to Parkinson’s disease or ALS:
- Shaking of hands or other body parts
- Muscle stiffness
- Twitching or muscle jerks
- Balance problems
- Difficulty swallowing
- Muscle weakness
- Unexpected emotional responses like laughing or crying
- Walking difficulties and increased falls
These symptoms typically develop gradually over years rather than appearing suddenly.
Causes
The exact cause of frontotemporal dementia remains largely unknown. This condition involves shrinkage in the brain’s frontal and temporal lobes, along with abnormal substance buildup.
Genetic factors play a role in some cases. Scientists have identified specific gene changes linked to this form of dementia. However, more than half of people with frontotemporal dementia have no family history of the condition.
Research has discovered interesting connections between frontotemporal dementia and ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). These conditions share some of the same genetic changes, suggesting a possible relationship between them. Scientists continue studying this connection to better understand both conditions.
Risk Factors
Having family members with dementia increases your chance of developing frontotemporal dementia. Research has not found other clear risk factors for this condition.
