Description

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a generic term for a group of brain diseases that primarily affect the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. These areas of the brain associated with personality, behavior and language.

In frontotemporal dementia, portions of these lobes shrink, known as atrophy. The symptoms depend on what part of the brain is affected. Some people with frontotemporal dementia have changes in their personalities. Become socially inappropriate and can be impulsive or emotionally indifferent. Others lose the ability to use language correctly.

Frontotemporal dementia may be misdiagnosed as a mental health condition or as Alzheimer's disease. But FTD tends to occur at a younger age than Alzheimer's disease. It often begins between the ages of 40 and 65 years old, although it can occur later in life. The DTF is the cause of the dementia around 10% to 20% of the time.

Symptoms

The symptoms of frontotemporal dementia differ from one person to the next. The symptoms worsen over time, usually through the years.

People with frontotemporal dementia tend to have groups of symptom types that occur together. You can also have more of a group of symptom types.

Behavior changes

The most common symptoms of frontotemporal dementia involve extreme changes in behavior and personality. These include:

  • Increasingly inappropriate social behavior.
  • The loss of empathy and other interpersonal skills. For example, not being sensitive to the feelings of another person.
  • The lack of judgment.
  • Loss of inhibition.
  • The lack of interest, also known as apathy. Apathy can be confused with depression.
  • Compulsive behaviors such as tapping, clapping, or smacking the lips, again and again.
  • A decrease in personal hygiene.
  • Changes in eating habits. People with FTD tend to eat in excess or prefer to eat sweets and carbohydrates.
  • Eat objects.
  • Compulsive urge to put things in their mouth.

Speech and language symptoms

Some subtypes of frontotemporal dementia lead to changes in the ability of the tongue, or the loss of speech. Subtypes include primary progressive aphasia, semantic dementia and progressive agrammatic aphasia, also known as progressive nonfluent aphasia.

These conditions can cause:

  • The increasing problems with the use and understanding of written and spoken language. People with FTD may not be able to find the right word to use in speech.
  • Trouble naming things. People with FTD may replace a specific word with a more general word, such as the use of "what" of the pen.
  • Not knowing the meanings of the words.
  • Have the hesitant speech that may sound telegraph through the use of simple, two-word sentences.
  • Errors in the construction of phrases.

Movement conditions

Rare subtypes of frontotemporal dementia causes of movements similar to those observed in Parkinson's disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

The movement of the symptoms may include:

  • The tremor.
  • Stiffness.
  • Muscle spasms or twitching.
  • Poor coordination.
  • Difficulty swallowing.
  • The muscle weakness.
  • Inappropriate laughter or crying.
  • Falls or problems walking.

Causes

In frontotemporal dementia, the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain and to reduce certain substances build up in the brain. What causes these changes is not known.

Some of the genetic changes that have been linked to frontotemporal dementia. But more than half of people with FTD have no family history of dementia.

Researchers have confirmed that some frontotemporal dementia gene changes are also seen in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). More research is being done to understand the connection between the conditions.

Risk factors

The risk of developing frontotemporal dementia is higher if you have a family history of dementia. There are No other known risk factors.

Diagnosis

There is No single test for frontotemporal dementia. The health professionals on account of the symptoms and exclude other possible causes of your symptoms. FTD can be difficult to diagnose early because the symptoms of frontotemporal dementia often overlap with other conditions. Health professionals can order the following tests.

Blood tests

To help rule out other conditions, such as liver or kidney disease, you may need blood tests.

Sleep study

Some of the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea may be similar to those of frontotemporal dementia. These symptoms may include changes in memory, thinking and behavior. You may need a sleep study if you experience loud snoring and pauses in breathing during sleep. A sleep study can help to rule out obstructive sleep apnea as a cause of your symptoms.

Neuropsychological testing

Health professionals can test your reasoning and memory skills. This type of test is particularly useful for knowing which type of dementia may have at an early stage. It can also help to distinguish FTD from other causes of dementia.

The brain scans

Images of the brain can reveal visible conditions that may be causing the symptoms. These may include the formation of blood clots, bleeding or tumors.

  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An MRI machine uses radio waves and a powerful magnetic field to produce detailed images of the brain. A magnetic resonance imaging can show changes in the size or shape of the frontal or temporal lobes.
  • Fdg positron emission tracer (FDG-PET). This test uses a low-level radioactive tracer is injected into the blood. The marker may help to show areas of the brain where the nutrients are poorly metabolized. The areas of low metabolism, you can show where changes have occurred in the brain and may help physicians to diagnose the type of dementia.

There is hope that the diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia can be easier in the future. Researchers are studying the potential biomarkers for FTD . Biomarkers are substances that can be measured to help diagnose a disease.

Treatment

There is currently no cure or treatment for frontotemporal dementia, although research in the ongoing treatments. The medications used to treat or slow Alzheimer's disease does not appear to be useful for people with frontotemporal dementia. Some Alzheimer's drugs may worsen the FTD symptoms. But certain drugs, and speech therapy may help manage your symptoms.

Drugs

These medications can help to manage the behavioral symptoms of frontotemporal dementia.

  • Antidepressants. Some types of antidepressants, such as trazodone, can reduce the behavioral symptoms. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (Ssris) are also effective for some people. They include citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), paroxetine (Paxil, Brisdelle), or sertraline (Zoloft).
  • Antipsychotics. Antipsychotic medications, such as olanzapine (Zyprexa) or quetiapine (Seroquel), it is sometimes used to treat the behavioral symptoms of FTD . But these medications should be used with caution in people with dementia. Can have serious side effects, including an increase in the risk of death.

Therapy

People with frontotemporal dementia, who have problems with the language, you may benefit from speech therapy. Speech therapy, teaches people to use communication aids.

Lifestyle and home remedies

As frontotemporal dementia symptoms get worse, you will need the assistance of caregivers. Caregivers can help with daily activities, help maintain the safety, provide transportation and help with the finances. Your health care professional can tell if you need to stop driving or let someone you trust take over your finances.

It is also important to regular cardiovascular exercise. You can help improve your mood and thinking skills.

In the home, it can be helpful to make adjustments so that everyday tasks are easier and reduce the chance of injury. For example, you remove the carpeting to reduce the risk of falls. Or upload the toilets to make it easier to use the bathroom.

Doctors may be able to treat the behavioral symptoms by changing the way you interact with people with dementia. Ask your loved one's health care professional about the resources that provide training in the care of a person with dementia.

Keeping a log of the behavioral symptoms can help to identify things in the environment that trigger the symptoms. Taking these steps may also help:

  • Jump to activities or events that trigger unwanted behavior.
  • Remove negative environmental cues, such as car keys.
  • Maintain a calm environment.
  • Provide structured routines.
  • Simplify everyday tasks.
  • Distract and divert attention away from harmful or inappropriate behavior.

Coping and support

If you have been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, receive the support, care and compassion of the people you trust can be very valuable.

Through your healthcare provider or the internet, find a support group for people with frontotemporal dementia. A support group can provide information tailored to your needs. It also allows you to share your experiences and feelings.

For caregivers and care partners

Caring for a person with frontotemporal dementia can be a challenge, because the DFT can cause large changes in the personality and behavioral symptoms. It can be useful to educate others about the behavioral symptoms and what you can expect when you spend time with your loved one.

Caregivers and spouses, partners or other family members who care for people with dementia, known as the care of the partners, the need for assistance. You can find the help of family members, friends, and support groups. Or you can use respite care provided by adult care centers or home health care agencies.

It is important for caregivers and caregivers to take care of your health, exercise, eat a healthy diet and manage your stress. Participate in hobbies outside the home can help to relieve some stress.

When a person with frontotemporal dementia requires 24-hour care, most families turn to nursing homes. The plans ahead of time will make this transition easier and can allow the person to be involved in the decision-making process.

Preparing for your appointment

People with frontotemporal dementia often do not recognize that they have symptoms. Family members often notice the changes, and arrangements for an appointment with a health care professional.

Your health care professional may refer you to a medical doctor trained in nervous system conditions, known as a neurologist. Or you may be referred to a doctor trained in mental health conditions, known as a psychologist.

What you can do

You may not be aware of all of their symptoms, so it is a good idea to bring a family member or close friend along with you to your appointment. You may also want to take a written list that includes:

  • Detailed descriptions of your symptoms.
  • Medical conditions that you have had in the past.
  • The medical conditions of your parents or siblings.
  • All of the medications and supplements you are taking.
  • The questions you want to ask your health care professional.

What to expect from your doctor

Besides a physical exam, your healthcare provider checks your neurological health. This is done by the proof of things, such as balance, muscle tone and strength. You can also have a mini-mental state evaluation to verify your memory and thinking skills.

Symptoms and treatment of Frontotemporal dementia