Frontotemporal Dementias

I have included this article because much of it speaks to the type of dementia with which Gregory is dealing. I have highlighted the parts that lead me to believe this and crossed out the parts that do not apply to Gregory.

Taken from "Perspectives: A Newsletter for People With Alzheimer's or a Related Disorder." Lisa Snyder, LCSW UCSD Shiley-Marcos Alzheimer’s Research Center 9500 Gilman Drive – 0948 La Jolla, CA 92093 Phone: 858-622-5800 Fax: 858-622-1012 email: lsnyder@ucsd.edu Click here to go to site.

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD), also known as frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), usually develops in individuals under the age of 65, the most common cause for young-onset dementia, and likely accounts for 10-20% of all dementia cases. Unlike Alzheimer’s that begins in areas of the brain responsible for memory, FTD damages the frontal and/or temporal regions of the brain that are associated with language, emotions, judgment, movement, and the abilities needed to complete complex tasks that require multiple steps.

There are many subtypes of Frontotempo-ral dementia that can affect behavior (behavioral variant FTD) and language (primary progressive aphasia, progressive non-fluent aphasia, or semantic dementia). Other more rare forms of frontotemporal disorders primarily affect movement (progressive supranuclear palsy, for example). People with all forms of FTD may also have some slowness or rigidity in their movements or a tremor similar to Parkinson’s disease.

Individuals with behavioral variant FTD can have very disruptive changes in social behavior and personality and may have little insight into these problems. These symptoms can be very challenging and they can struggle to function in social situations. Younger caregivers often have is difficulty managing these challenges at home especially with job commitments.

People who have FTD in the form of aphasia are unable to find the right words to communicate effectively and eventually are unable to speak, while people with semantic dementia tend to lose ability to understand the meaning of words and may not comprehend simple words. It may also be difficult for these individuals to recognize familiar people or objects.

Many people with FTD who have these language difficulties retain other thinking abilities and may try to develop ways to manage their communication challenges. Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, have found that some individuals with semantic dementia can have considerable non-verbal creative abilities, including painting. 

In an article published in Alzheimer’s New Zealand’s, Alzheimer’s News, Graham, diagnosed with semantic dementia at age 59, states, “Dementia is like life: it never goes down a straight path for an individual of a family. I am currently following twists which were not planned for my future. It has been an in- teresting and challenging change.”

Since FTD can include a complex set of symptoms that vary considerably from person-to-person, strategies for managing the condition may vary and it is important to seek help from professionals and peers who are familiar with this dementia.

For more information on FTD, contact the Association for Frontotemporal Demen- tias on their toll-free help line at 866-507- 7222 or visit them online at their website: http://www.ftd-picks.org/