Frontotemporal dementia is a neurodegenerative disorder that involves the frontal and temporal brain lobes. It encompasses a number of neurological disorders, that cause progressive impairment in behavior, executive functions, thinking, memory, and language. It’s the second most common cause of dementia in people less than 65 years of age, and usually affects people 45-65 years old. Like other types of dementia, it affects people older than 65 years as well.
Symptoms progressively worse over time and may change from one person to another.
Socially inappropriate behavior
Impulsive or risky behavior
Loss of social interest
Loss of empathy or sympathy towards other people including the family
Loss of emotions or interest in something
Changes in food preferences
Binge eating
Eating inedible objects
Wanting to put things in the mouth
Increased consumption of alcohol or cigarettes
Difficulty naming or recognizing objects or drawings
Difficulty understanding single-word
Difficulty in speech
Difficulty understanding complex sentences
Muscle weakness
Muscle spasms
Tremors
Difficulty swallowing
Visit a Neurologist to be diagnosed and treated properly, If you or one of your family have any of these symptoms
The exact cause is not known yet, but it’s thought that this condition is related to gene mutations. A family history of frontotemporal dementia is the only known risk factor that increases the likelihood of being affected by this condition.
Diagnosis depends on symptoms and medical history as there are no specific tests that can diagnose this condition because it overlaps with other diseases. Diagnostic tools include:
Brain scans : To determine the presence of brain atrophy.
Magnetic resonance imaging (a procedure in which magnetic fields are used to produce an image of the brain).
Computed tomography scan (a procedure in which x-ray and a computer are used to produce an image of the brain).
Positron emission tomography (a procedure that uses radioactive substances during producing an image of the brain).
Neurological examination : Evaluating the neurological status by examining the reflexes, memory, language skills, attention, and other cognitive functions.
There is no cure for this condition until now, but some treatment methods are used such as :
Speech therapy : Treatment of people with speech and communication problems by training, to help them to speak more clearly.
Physical therapy : Treatment through specific exercises and machines to help people with movement disorders to move better.
Occupational therapy : Treatment that helps patients to improve their motor skills and adapt to their illness by teaching them to do the tasks that are important to their daily lives through special exercises.
Cognitive behavioral therapy : A type of psychotherapy that teaches the patients how to deal with negative thoughts and behaviors.
Medications :
Antidepressants (ex : Citalopram, Escitalopram, Fluoxetine, Paroxetine).
Antipsychotics (ex : Aripiprazole, Clozapine, Quetapine, Olanzapine, Risperidone).
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