When you hear the word dementia, what comes to mind?
Thats why its especially important to be aware of what FTD is and how it can present.
Heres what you should understand about this little-known health issue.
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FTD refers to a group of brain disorders that cause dementia.
Alzheimersis the leading cause of dementia, and its also the one most of us know about.
This prompts problems with the thought processes and behavior controlled by these lobes, according to the NINDS.
FTD is the most common form of dementia in younger people.
According to the NINDS, FTD is the number one cause of dementia in people under age 60.
(It seems to affect men and women in equal numbers.)
About 60 percent of people with FTD are between the ages 45 and 64, theNINDSsays.
The most common form of FTD causes changes in behavior and personality.
While Alzheimers primarily affectsmemory, thats not the case with FTD.
People start doing things that are out of character.
For instance, Someone might lose all interest [in] seeing their new grandchild, Dr. Huey says.
Less commonly, people with bvFTD show symptoms involving language disturbances.
While estimates vary, Dr. Huey says about 25 percent of patients present with this variety.
FTD can be extremely difficult to diagnose for several reasons.
First, many of thesymptomsdont seem medical in nature.
And the sheer variety of symptoms means there is not really a classic presentation.
Theres also no one single test doctors can use to diagnose the illness, theMayo Clinicsays.
So most patients we see, its the families [bringing] them in.
A lot of patients get misdiagnosed with a psychiatric disorder, oftendepression, Dr. Huey says.
The cause of FTD is unknown, but there is a strong genetic component.
We dont know what causes the majority of FTD cases.
In fact, a family history of FTD is the only known risk factor, theMayo Clinicexplains.
Scientists have identified several different genes in which a mutation can lead to FTD.
There is currently no treatment for FTD.
One of the worst things about FTD is that it progresses steadily and often quickly.
We dont have treatments to prevent, slow down, or cure FTD, according to theNINDS.
The patient often requires 24-hourcareand is at a much higher risk of potentially life-threatening complications like pneumonia.
FTD can be incredibly hard on families.
Often, caregivers and spouses will say one of the hardest things is that theyve lost their loved one.
Just finding a place where people understand what youre going through is a huge help.
The AFTD also hosts conferences and connects people without support groups in their area to one another.
So we can connect caregivers one-on-one to be a friend to listen and understand and maybe provide some guidance.
Research and awareness are gaining momentum.
There are several very promising avenues of research right now, Dr. Huey says.
Were learning a lot.
Dr. Huey is particularly excited about the strides being made to develop treatments targeted at specific genetic abnormalities.
He says these experimental treatments will probably start to enter clinical trials in the next few years.
