INFORMATION ON FRONTOTEMPORAL DEMENTIA

Unlike alzheimer's disease, which normally affects most areas of the brain, frontotemporal dementia is a progressive dementia that affects specific areas of the brain -- the frontal and temporal lobes. In some cases, brain cells in these areas may reduce in size or die. In other cases, the brain cells in these areas get bigger, containing round, silver "pick's bodies." in both situations, the changes affect the person's functioning.

Other names for frontotemporal dementia include:

• Frontal lobe dementia
• Primary progressive aphasia
• Corticobasal degeneration
• Pick's disease

CAUSES OF FRONTOTEMPORAL DEMENTIA

Little is known about the cause of frontotemporal dementia and risk factors have yet to be recognized. While most cases of frontotemporal dementia are not inborn, there is an autosomal dominant gene (chromosome 17) which can be passed from one generation to another. This type affects to a person who is around 40 years of age and is extremely rare.

SYMPTOMS OF FRONTOTEMPORAL DEMENTIA

Since the frontal and temporal areas of the brain can be affected in different ways, early symptoms often affect either actions and/or speech (language).

• Changes in behavior may consist of either withdrawn or disinhibited (e.g., speaking rudely). The person may be unable to find interest in personal hygiene, become easily distracted or do again the same action over and over again. Overeating or compulsively putting objects in the mouth may occur. Sometimes incontinence comes early in the disease.

• Problems with speech (language) can range from reduction of speech to total loss (i.e., becoming mute). Echoing what has been said by others and stuttering are common symptoms. The person may have complicatedness sustaining a train of thought or maintaining a conversation for any length of time. Writing and reading are also affected.

In the early stage of frontotemporal dementia, behavior changes or problems with speech (language) can appear separately. As the disease progresses, these two areas will overlap. Unlike with alzheimer's disease, a person with frontotemporal dementia often remains oriented to time and has preserved memory in the early stages. In the later stages of the disease, general symptoms of dementia arise, such as confusion and absentmindedness. Motor skills are lost and swallowing difficulties takes place.

TREATMENT OF FRONTOTEMPORAL DEMENTIA

At present, there is no known cure for frontotemporal dementia and the development cannot be slowed down.