What is Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)?

Frontotemporal Dementia

 Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) is a degenerative condition of the front part of the brain. It differs from other causes of dementia such as Alzheimer’s, Pick’s and Creutzfeldt Jakob’s diseases. The areas of the brain affected by FTD control reasoning, personality, movement, speech, social graces, language and some aspects of memory.

FTD is marked by dramatic changes in personality, behavior and some thought processes. Changes in personal and social conduct occur in the early stages, including loss of inhibition, apathy, social withdrawal, mouthing of objects and compulsive behaviors. As FTD progresses, the elder will experience immobility and loss of speech and expression.

Major symptoms include:

• A dramatic change in personal and social conduct. The individual may lack initiative, seem unconcerned, and neglect responsibilities
• Loss of empathy toward others
• May show shallow affect or lack of emotional response or they may be inappropriately happy, sing, dance, clap or recite phrases repeatedly.
• Rigid and inflexible thinking and impaired judgment
• Loss of insight into personal and social misconduct, such as small sexual or moral transgressions
• Repetitive or compulsive behaviors. They may echo what others say, wander restlessly or adhere to a fixed daily ritual or schedule
• Nightmares and bizarre dreams
• Excessive eating or gluttony, food cravings (especially sweets), or may refuse to eat or may experience the inability to use motor skills needed for eating
• Decreased motor skills in later stages
• Change in sleep patterns, with prolonged sleepiness
• A gradual reduction in speech, culminating in becoming mute
• Inability to make motor movements in response to verbal commands
• Loss of muscle movement and rigidity with death due to complications of immobility

Studies have shown that people with FTD live with the disease an average of eight years but can last three to 17 years. There are no medications currently known to treat or prevent FTD. Serotonin-boosting medications may alleviate some behaviors.

Contact the Director of Memory Care Services for more information. (716) 250-1150 x442

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