Understanding Frontotemporal Degeneration

What to know about frontotemporal degeneration or frontotemporal dementia

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What Is Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)?

FTD is a different kind of dementia, often with an earlier onset

Older woman sitting on a couch, holding her glasses in one hand and pinching the bridge of her nose with her eyes closed, appearing tired or stressed.

Frontotemporal dementia, also called frontotemporal degeneration or frontotemporal lobar degeneration, is a group of brain disorders that primarily affect the frontal and temporal lobes. These areas are responsible for behavior, personality, and language.

What makes FTD unique:

  • Often diagnosed between ages 45 and 65
  • Affects behavior, speech, and judgment before memory
  • Can cause emotional detachment or impulsivity
  • Presents differently than Alzheimer’s
  • Progresses in stages, sometimes unpredictably
  • Includes subtypes like Pick’s Disease and Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA)

Symptoms of Frontotemporal Dementia

Changes in behavior or speech may be early signs

Frontotemporal dementia symptoms can start with subtle but life-altering changes in behavior or language. Because it often affects people at a younger age than Alzheimer’s and related dementias, it can be difficult to recognize them early. While there’s no single cause, researchers have identified several factors that may increase risk.

Common symptoms of frontotemporal dementia may include:

  • Sudden or gradual personality changes
  • Difficulty with judgment or impulse control
  • Emotional withdrawal or lack of empathy
  • Repetitive, compulsive behaviors
  • Language loss, including trouble speaking or understanding
  • Decreased personal hygiene or loss of social awareness
  • Trouble planning, organizing, or managing daily tasks
  • Eventual difficulty with walking, swallowing, and coordination

Types of frontotemporal dementia are:

  • Behavioral Variant FTD (bvFTD): Marked by major changes in personality, judgment, and social behavior. Often mistaken for a psychiatric condition.
  • Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA): Affects language skills. The person may struggle to form sentences, recall words, or comprehend speech.
  • Semantic Variant PPA: A subtype where understanding the meaning of words or objects becomes difficult.
  • Nonfluent/Agrammatic Variant PPA: Affects speech production, often resulting in short or halting phrases.
  • Pick’s Disease: A specific form of FTD involving abnormal protein buildup, with pronounced behavioral and emotional changes.
  • Frontotemporal Movement Disorders: Some people also develop motor disorders, like ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) or corticobasal syndrome.

Compassionate Support for a Complex Dementia Diagnosis

Support that adapts as FTD changes arise

When someone you love shows signs of frontotemporal degeneration, the emotional toll can be overwhelming. At Arden Courts, we understand how different FTD can be, and we tailor our care accordingly.

How Arden Courts is here for you:

  • Staff trained in the unique challenges of FTD and Pick’s Disease
  • Daily routines and environments that support safety and reduce agitation
  • Personalized care plans that evolve with the progression
  • Programming designed for cognitive, emotional, and physical engagement
  • Education and ongoing communication with family caregivers
  • Short-Term Stays and Respite Care for flexibility and peace of mind
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