The family of the American actor, Bruce Willis, announced Thursday that he suffers from a type of dementia called “frontotemporal dementia” or “FTD”, according to the “Associated Press”.
In a joint statement on Thursday, the 67-year-old’s family said that “as difficult and heartbreaking as this news is, it is a relief to finally get a clear diagnosis.”
The family said in the statement: “Today there are no treatments for this disease, and we all hope from all our hearts that this will change in the coming years.” The statement added: “As Bruce’s condition progresses, we hope that there will be media attention and shed light on this disease, which needs more awareness and research.”
The statement continued: “Bruce has always believed in using his voice in the world to help others, and to raise awareness about important issues both public and private. We know in our hearts that he will want to garner global attention and empathy for those who are also dealing with this debilitating disease, and how it affects so many.” of persons and their families.
According to the Mayo Clinic, “frontotemporal dementia is an umbrella term for a group of brain disorders that primarily affect the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. These areas of the brain are generally associated with personality, behavior, and language.”
A year ago, Willis’ family, including his wives, current Emma Hemming Willis and former Demi Moore, and his daughters revealed that he would be diagnosed with aphasia in 2022. They said at the time that Willis was suffering from a medical condition affecting his cognitive abilities and would retire from acting. According to the American network “CNN”.
Aphasia is a disease that causes a partial or complete loss of the ability to express, speak, or understand spoken or written language. It is caused by damage to the areas of the brain that control language, and patients may find it difficult to read, write, speak, understand, or repeat words.
Over four decades in the making, Welles’ films have grossed more than $5 billion at the worldwide box office.