Frontotemporal dementia, a term you may not have heard before. It has gained relevance when it was revealed that the actor Bruce Willis suffers from it The family has released a statement in which they comment that he suffers from it.
“It’s a relief to finally have a diagnosis clear. (…) Today There are no treatments for the disease. a reality that we hope can change in the coming years”, pointed out the family.
Previously, the actor had been diagnosed with aphasiawhich is why he said goodbye to the screens to spend time with his family, because his cognitive abilities began to deteriorate.
How a person with frontotemporal dementia behaves
Frontotemporal dementia: what is it and what are the symptoms. Photo: iStock
The demencia frontotemporal (DFT) it’s a type of dementia It affects the frontal and temporal regions of the brain. The way a person with FTD behaves can vary depending on the stage of the disease. disease and of the person himself.
Some common behaviors associated with FTD, notes the National Library of Medicineson:
Changes in personality and behavior: People with DFT can show dramatic changes in their personality and behavior, such as impulsive attitudes, lack of empathy, apathy, indifference towards others, poor judgement, inappropriate or disinhibited, and loss of social inhibitions.
Language and communication difficulties: People with DFT may have difficulty finding the right words, may repeat the same words or phrases over and over again, or may have trouble understanding language.
Memory problems: In the early stages of FTD, memory may not be affected, but as the disease progresses, the person may have difficulty remembering things.
Changes in ability to perform daily tasks: DFT can affect a person’s ability to do everyday tasks like cooking, dressing, driving, or managing money.
Changes in eating and appetite: People with FTD may have changes in their eating habits, such as overeating, eating inappropriate foods, or having a preference for certain types of food.
motor problems: People with FTD may have trouble moving around and doing physical activities, such as walking or performing fine hand movements.
Los FTD symptoms may vary by person.
What causes frontotemporal dementia
Frontotemporal dementia: what is it and what are the symptoms. Photo: courtesy IG @demimoore
The exact cause of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is not yet known completely, but it is believed to be related to the progressive degeneration of nerve cells in the frontal and temporal regions of the brain.
FTD may be related to changes in certain genes and proteins, and some forms of the disease they can be inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion, which means that a single copy of the mutated gene is enough to develop the disease.
Some risk factor’sas the advanced age and the family history of dementiathey can also increase the chance of developing DFT.
How long does a person with frontotemporal dementia live?
He lifespan of a person with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) can vary widely and depends on many factors, including the age at onset of the disease, how quickly the disease progresses, the presence of other medical conditions, and the level of care and attention the person receives.
In general, FTD tends to progress more rapidly than other forms of dementia, and life expectancy after diagnosis ranges from a few years to more than a decade.
On average, people with FTD can live on 6 to 8 years after the onset of symptoms, although some people may live longer (approximately 15 years).
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Unfortunately not much is known about this diseaseso the family of famous actor hopes that more discoveries will be made about the frontotemporal dementia and thus be able to help people who suffer from it.