What is frontotemporal dementia?

This month we learned that US actor Bruce Willis has frontotemporal dementia (FTD). You may not have heard of this type of dementia, as it is less common.

What is dementia?

Dementia is a term used to describe a set of symptoms characterised by progressive decline in thinking, memory, language and perception. There are a number of different types of dementia, with Alzheimer's disease being the most prevalent (common) in the UK and associated with ageing. It is important to remember that dementia is not normal or a part of ageing, it is a pathological, which means it is caused by disease.

Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)

FTD occurs when one of two proteins, either tau or TDP-43, build up in the frontal and/or temporal lobes of the brain. This causes damage to and loss of brain cells in these areas and over time, these parts of the brain shrink. FTD is unusual in that it can affect people at a much younger age than other types of dementia. In fact, it is the most common type of dementia that affects under 65s.

These frontal and temporal lobes control behaviour, emotional responses and language. This means that people will experience changes in personality and behaviour, or may struggle with language – for example, in finding the right word.

You can read more here: Bruce Willis has frontotemporal dementia – here’s what we know about the disease