Frontotemporal dementia is one of the less common forms of dementia. You might hear or have heard it referred to in its abbreviated form (FTD) or as Pick's disease. It's a progressive illness that affects the frontal (front) and temporal (side) lobes of the brain. Over time, it can gradually cause problems with memory, language, thinking, mood, behaviour and emotions. According to Dementia UK, it accounts for around one in 20 dementia diagnoses.
Whereas the risk of developing Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia increases as people get older (usually 65 and over), frontotemporal dementia is mostly diagnosed in people aged between 45 and 65. People younger or older can also be impacted – the cases are just far rarer. In our guide, we’ll help you to gain a better understanding of frontotemporal dementia, its symptoms, what causes it and more.
Dementia is not a normal part of ageing. So, if you or a loved one is concerned about memory issues or any of the symptoms we explore in this guide, speak to a GP. They'll be able to identify the cause of any issues and provide further advice on the next steps.
Contents
What are the symptoms of Frontotemporal Dementia?
What are the causes of Frontotemporal Dementia?
How is Frontotemporal Dementia diagnosed?
Can Frontotemporal Dementia be cured?
How can Sanctuary Care support people living with Frontotemporal Dementia?
What are the Symptoms of Frontotemporal Dementia?
The symptoms of frontotemporal dementia (or Pick's disease) affect people differently. They'll vary depending on which parts of the brain's frontal and temporal lobes are affected. Symptoms are usually mild, to begin with, but will slowly worsen as the illness progresses. They can include:
- changes to personality and behaviour - where a person starts to act impulsively or inappropriately. They may also appear easily distracted or have difficulty in expressing and understanding feelings.
- communication issues - speech may become slower, and words may be used incorrectly or in the wrong order. Forgetting what words mean is common too.
- difficulties with decision-making - a person may struggle to follow instructions, organise and plan or make decisions.
- problems with memory - it's less common during the early stages, but day-to-day memory can become more challenging with time.
- movement issues - slow or stiff movements, muscle weakness and swallowing difficulties. Frontotemporal dementia can overlap with other neurological conditions, such as motor neurone disease (MND).
What are the Causes of Frontotemporal Dementia?
Frontotemporal dementia occurs when proteins build up in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. These lobes are responsible for controlling our personalities, emotions and behaviours, as well as our speech and the way in which we understand words. The proteins, tau, TDP-43 and FUS, form clumps which damage brain cells and cause them to die, impacting the cognitive functions associated with those parts of the brain. Eventually, the damage will spread causing the symptoms to become more severe.
Research into understanding the exact causes behind frontotemporal dementia is ongoing. However, according to the NHS, there's often a genetic link - with around one in eight people diagnosed with the illness having relatives who were also impacted by it.
How is Frontotemporal Dementia Diagnosed?
There's no single test to diagnose frontotemporal dementia. Instead, a series of tests and assessments by GPs or specialists are used to determine whether a person is affected by the condition. These can include:
- assessments of symptoms - where somebody who knows the person affected well can provide an account of their symptoms, as they might not be aware of any changes.
- assessments of mental abilities - typically consisting of a series of tasks and questions
- brain scans - MRI, CT or PET scans can be used to detect dementia and identify the areas of the brain most affected. They can also be used to rule out other brain issues.
- blood tests - used to rule out conditions with shared symptoms.
- lumbar puncture - a spinal fluid test, which can be used to rule out Alzheimer's disease.
Can Frontotemporal Dementia Be Cured?
No, it cannot be cured. However, the symptoms can be managed with medication and treatments. Therapies and support activities are also commonly used to help someone living with the illness. They can include occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, physiotherapy and many others.
- occupational therapy can help an individual identify the day-to-day areas in which they're struggling, and help them to develop a solution.
- physiotherapy can help those experiencing symptoms affecting their movement.
- speech and language therapy, meanwhile, can help with communication issues, as well as swallowing.
How Can Sanctuary Care Support People Living with Frontotemporal Dementia?
Over time, a person living with frontotemporal dementia will find as their condition progresses, their symptoms become more difficult to manage. This will eventually result in a greater level of support being required in everyday life. For some, this takes the form of care provided by a loved one or a live-in carer within their own home. For others, it's provided within a care home environment - which provides access to specialist facilities and round-the-clock care.
Here, at Sanctuary Care, we have many care homes across the UK that provide compassionate, person-centric dementia care. Our dedicated teams are experienced in developing bespoke care plans for people impacted by different forms of dementia, including frontotemporal dementia / Pick's disease. We enrich lives by creating warm, welcoming environments where our residents can feel engaged, comfortable and safe.
Find your nearest dementia care home today, or contact our team on 0800 046 4903 for more information.
