OVERVIEW OF FTD

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a group of related conditions resulting from the progressive degeneration of the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. These areas of the brain play a significant role in judgement, decision -making, behavioral control, emotion and language and motor abilities. Often people with FTD may seem to have a psychiatric condition such as, depression, bi-polar disorder, or be abusing alcohol, or drugs, because of irrational behaviors and or slurred speech.

The average age of onset of the disease is about 57, but patients as early as 20’s and  30’s have been reported.

FTD affects as many people as Alzheimer’s disease in the 40-64 age group. Approximately 40% of patients with FTD have a family history of FTD, and 60% have no known cause.There is no cure for FTD and treatment is symptomatic.