What is frontotemporal dementia?

Frontotemporal dementia or FTD is a type of dementia that usually affects people aged 45-65 (dementia usually affects people over 65), but it can also be diagnosed in younger or older people. FTD causes problems with language and behavior which are, in turn, caused by gradual changes and damage in the brain and get worse over time. In the case of FTD, the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain are affected.

20-50% of all FTD cases are considered to be familial. Genetic FTD is generally passed down in families in a dominant pattern. In many cases, genetic frontotemporal dementia is caused by a mutation in one of the three genes known as C9ORF72, MAPT, or GRN. In some cases (but rarely), it is caused by a mutation in one of the other genes, including TARDBP, CHMP2B, SQSTM1, UBQLN1, TBK1, or VCP.

Diagnosing FTD can be challenging because its symptoms overlap with Alzheimer’s disease and other conditions. Nevertheless, these are the symptoms of frontotemporal dementia that occur in most cases:

• Language Problems: Using words incorrectly, speaking slowly, getting words in the wrong order, and struggling to make the right sounds when pronouncing something.
• Personality and Behavior Changes: Loss of motivation, neglecting personal hygiene, overeating, acting impulsively or inappropriately and appearing selfish or unsympathetic.
• Problems with Mental Abilities: Being easily distracted, struggling with organization and planning.
• Memory Issues: May occur later on (unlike in other types of dementia).
• Physical Problems: May occur in the form of slow or stiff movements, muscle weakness, difficulty swallowing, and loss of bladder or bowel control.

Noticing these symptoms is the first step in getting diagnosed and receiving proper treatment. If you are experiencing these symptoms or you know someone who is, seek professional help for yourself or them. Get in touch with your general practitioner who will perform some simple tests before directing you to a specialized clinic where you can get further tests done if needed.

Younger Onset Dementia

If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of FTD early on, it is necessary to get the right treatment. In addition to that, there are some general guidelines to follow when caring for patients with younger onset dementia:

• Duties and Responsibilities: Because symptoms can start occurring as early as the age of 30, the person experiencing the symptoms is more likely to have certain duties and responsibilities to fulfill. For example, children, a job, or even a home mortgage or college loans. These need to be considered when deciding what kind of treatment the patient will get and how to organize their life going forward.
• Assistance: The affected person might need assistance to perform everyday tasks such as remembering appointments, taking medications, remembering information (people’s names and faces, important places), taking care of their personal hygiene, planning healthy meals, and managing finances.
• Safety: Safety needs to be a priority in all situations. It is necessary to check the situations where the patient is allowed to do something alone. It is also important to identify stressors and eliminate or reduce them as much as possible. Decide on a phrase or signal that can be used as a cue for requesting help. Schedule regular check-ins to see that everything is all right.

Frontotemporal Dementia Research Group (FRONTIER)

Frontotemporal Dementia Research Group or FRONTIER is a clinical research group in Sydney, Australia. FRONTIER is dedicated to studying frontotemporal dementia and other related disorders. The group investigates the neurological, psychological, and biological basis of brain function in FTD and healthy aging.

If you have ever thought, “How can I find someone to write my paper?” then you might be in the right place. FRONTIER won’t write your paper for you, but the research group will definitely help you with your research on dementia and anything related to it. It is a place for people affected by FTD to get help and for students and researchers to study the disease.

The team behind FRONTIER consists of experts in frontotemporal dementia and illnesses related to it. Founded in 2007, the group has been diagnosing and caring for people with FTD and other conditions. In addition to that, FRONTIER actively participates in the research of social cognition, neuroimaging, clinical management, behavior, speech and language, and other aspects of FTD and dementia.