What are the three types of FTD?

There are three types of frontotemporal disorders (FTD): behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD), primary progressive aphasia (PPA), and movement disorders.

What is the most prominent symptom of frontotemporal dementia?

With FTD, unusual or antisocial behavior as well as loss of speech or language are usually the first symptoms. In later stages, patients develop movement disorders such as unsteadiness, rigidity, slowness, twitches, muscle weakness or difficulty swallowing.

How fast does frontal lobe dementia progress?

Most studies show that FTD is steadily progressive, with declining function in everyday life and accumulation of social, cognitive, and neurological disabilities leading to complete dependency requiring institutional care over a course of 6–8 years[9].

What is the most common clinical subtype of FTD?

EPIDEMIOLOGY OF FRONTOTEMPORAL DEMENTIA

1,2 Of the FTD subtypes, bvFTD is the most common clinical presentation, accounting for more than 50% of patients with autopsy-confirmed FTLD.

What are the subtypes of frontotemporal?

Abstract. Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) was one of the lesser known dementias until the recent advancements revealing its genetic and pathological foundation. This common neurodegenerative disorder has three clinical subtypes- behavioral, semantic and progressive non fluent aphasia.

Types of Dementia (Alzheimer, Frontotemporal, Lewy Body, and Jakob)

What can mimic frontotemporal dementia?

People with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are often misdiagnosed with Alzheimer's disease (AD), psychiatric disorders, vascular dementia or Parkinson's disease. The early symptoms and the brain image are often the most helpful tools to reach the right diagnosis.

What is the most common mutation in frontotemporal dementia?

C9 mutations are the most common cause of genetic FTD.

What is FTD usually misdiagnosed as?

FTD is often misdiagnosed and, among the other neurodegenerative disorders, is commonly mistaken for Alzheimer's disease (AD).

What medication is used for frontal lobe dementia?

Some types of antidepressants, such as trazodone, may reduce the behavioral problems associated with frontotemporal dementia. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) — such as citalopram (Celexa), paroxetine (Paxil) or sertraline (Zoloft) — also have been effective in some people.

What is the average lifespan for FTD?

People with FTD typically live six to eight years with their condition, sometimes longer, sometimes less. Most people die of problems related to advanced disease.

What is the 5 word memory test?

Abstract. Introduction: The five-word test (5WT) is a serial verbal memory test with semantic cuing. It is proposed to rapidly evaluate memory of aging people and has previously shown its sensitivity and its specificity in identifying patients with AD.

What is the best treatment for frontotemporal dementia?

These include: occupational therapy – to identify problem areas in everyday life, such as getting dressed, and help work out practical solutions. speech and language therapy – to help improve any communication or swallowing problems. physiotherapy – to help with movement difficulties.

What causes death in frontal lobe dementia?

Pneumonia is the most common cause of death in those who have frontotemporal dementia. They also are at increased risk for infections and fall-related injuries.

What drugs should be avoided in frontotemporal dementia?

Drugs that are commonly used to treat other types of dementia are not recommended for people with FTD. These drugs, known as cholinesterase inhibitors (for example, donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine) can actually make the symptoms of FTD worse.

What is the hallmark feature of frontotemporal dementia?

The most common signs of frontotemporal dementia involve extreme changes in behavior and personality. These include: Increasingly inappropriate social behavior. Loss of empathy and other interpersonal skills, such as having sensitivity to another's feelings.

What builds up in frontotemporal dementia?

Causes of frontotemporal dementia

Frontotemporal dementia is caused by clumps of abnormal protein forming inside brain cells. These are thought to damage the cells and stop them working properly. The proteins mainly build up in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain at the front and sides.

What is the 3 word memory test?

The Mini-Cog test.

A third test, known as the Mini-Cog, takes 2 to 4 minutes to administer and involves asking patients to recall three words after drawing a picture of a clock. If a patient shows no difficulties recalling the words, it is inferred that he or she does not have dementia.

What are the 3 foods that fight memory loss?

What are the foods that fight memory loss? Berries, fish, and leafy green vegetables are 3 of the best foods that fight memory loss. There's a mountain of evidence showing they support and protect brain health.

Who should not take memantine?

Memantine hydrochloride is not recommended for children and adolescents under the age of 18 years. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.

Can FTD be seen on an MRI?

Atrophy or shrinkage of specific regions of the brain that might be suggestive of FTD can be identified by MRI.

Does frontotemporal dementia show on a brain scan?

Brain imaging is indicated in all individuals with symptoms of FTD to rule out structural causes. MRI scanning will identify small vessel ischemia, subdural hematomas, strategically placed tumors and hydrocephalus. Additionally, the pattern of brain atrophy can support the diagnosis.

Does frontal lobe dementia affect walking?

Frontotemporal dementia is caused by a group of disorders that gradually damage the brain's frontal and temporal lobes. These damages cause changes in thinking and behaviors. Symptoms can include unusual behaviors, emotional problems, trouble communicating, challenges with work, and difficulty with walking.

Where does frontotemporal dementia start?

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a common cause of dementia, is a group of disorders that occur when nerve cells in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain are lost. This causes the lobes to shrink. FTD can affect behavior, personality, language, and movement.

Is dementia inherited from mother or father?

Many people affected by dementia are concerned that they may inherit or pass on dementia. The majority of dementia is not inherited by children and grandchildren. In rarer types of dementia there may be a strong genetic link, but these are only a tiny proportion of overall cases of dementia.

What is the gait of frontotemporal dementia?

Patients with FTD have a tendency to tilt forward, but AD have tendency to tilt backward. This unique information indicates a differential pattern of balance and gait impairment subclinically in cortical dementias.