Frontotemporal Dementia

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Dementia is the loss of cognitive function; thinking, remembering and reasoning. It interferes with an individual’s life and their activities. It also has large affects on the family and friends around them. People with dementia can not control their emotions and their personalities may change too.

Frontotemporal dementia is one of the less common types of dementia. It is sometimes called Pick’s disease or frontal lobe dementia. The term frontotemporal refers to the two lobes in the brain, frontal and temporal which are damaged by this disease. The nerve cells are damaged and die, the brain tissue then gets smaller.

Frontal Lobes
These are found behind the forehead and these lobes process information that affects how we behave and controls our feelings and emotions.

Temporal Lobes
These are located either side of your head, nearest to your ears. This part of your brain has many roles, some are it stores words and the name of objects. It allows us to recognise faces.

There are two types of frontotemporal dementia:

  • Behavioural variant (FTD)- frontal lobe damage
  • Primary progressive aphasia (PPA)- damage to the temporal lobes

Symptoms
Frontotemporal dementia affects everyone differently it is important to remember this.

  • Loose motivation
  • Struggle to focus on tasks
  • Difficulties planning and organising
  • Crave sweet, fatty foods or carbohydrates
  • Loose inhibitions- socially behave inappropriately
  • Loose vocabulary
  • Forget what familiar objects are used for
  • How sensitive the person is to the cold, to pain
  • The disease is progressive with no cure. Drugs are not recommended for frontotemporal dementia

Support can be given by your GP, psychiatrist, nurses, speech and language therapist, neurologist. There are many local support groups and well know charities who can be contacted. Support can be offered from physiotherapists and occupational therapists to assist with movement and coordination. To carry out and maintain independence around the home.

Should you require an assessment please do not hesitate to contact us on 01245 377118