What Is Frontotemporal Dementia?
The frontal lobe of the brain is a true workhorse; it is responsible for reasoning, planning, sequencing, modulation of emotions, and conversion of thoughts into speech. The temporal lobes (one right, one left) are no multitasking slouches either. They serve to process auditory sensation and perception, are integral to language comprehension, and also play a role in the formation and retrieval of long-term memories.
In frontotemporal dementia (also referred to as Frontal Lobe Dementia), the frontal and/or temporal lobes degenerate, resulting in dramatic personality and behavioural changes. These changes can include lack of insight, impaired judgment, lack of empathy, loss of inhibitions, inappropriateness, a general decline in social graces, impulsivity, withdrawal, ease of distraction, and perseveration of actions. In the later stages of FTD, symptoms include loss of language (‘aphasia’) and loss of muscle movement (‘akinesia’).
Onset of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) can occur at any time during adult life, however most individuals are typically between 50 and 60 years of age. There is currently no known cure for FTD, nor is there a means of slowing its progression. The average length of disease is about 8 years.
FTD accounts for approximately 2-5% of all dementias. Risk factors for the development of FTD are currently unknown, however there is a form which is passed genetically from one generation to the next, although it is extremely rare.
Jennifer Hartman, guest blogger
* image courtesy of Fotolia
