What is frontotemporal dementia?

2024-04-03

Frontotemporal dementia is an uncommon form of dementia

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a relatively uncommon form of dementia that affects the frontal and/or temporal lobes of the brain. It is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that most often affects people aged 40 to 65, but it can occur in older individuals as well.

Symptoms include changes in personality and behavior

Symptoms of frontotemporal dementia can vary depending on which part of the brain is most affected, but the most common include changes in personality and behavior, lack of empathy and social awareness, and difficulties with language and speech. Other symptoms may include memory loss, difficulty with problem solving, and changes in eating patterns.

The course of the disease is often gradual and the symptoms become progressively worse over time

The course of frontotemporal dementia is usually gradual and the symptoms get progressively worse over time. Unlike other forms of dementia, people with FTD may experience changes in personality and behavior early in the course of the disease, while memory loss and other cognitive problems may not become apparent until later stages.

The causes of frontotemporal dementia are not fully understood but there is a genetic component in some patients

The causes of frontotemporal dementia are not fully understood, but there is a genetic component in some patients. The disease may also be related to accumulations of abnormal proteins in the brain, including tau and TDP-43. These accumulations interfere with the normal functioning of the brain and lead to the loss of nerve cells and memory loss.

Frontotemporal dementia is a challenging disease to diagnose

Frontotemporal dementia is a challenging disease to diagnose because the symptoms can resemble other neurological conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease or psychiatric illnesses. The diagnosis often requires a comprehensive medical evaluation, including neuropsychological testing and sometimes brain imaging to assess brain damage.

There is no cure for frontotemporal dementia

Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for frontotemporal dementia, and treatment focuses primarily on managing the symptoms and improving the quality of life for the affected person. It may include medication to manage behavioral symptoms, speech therapy to improve communication skills and various forms of support for both the patient and their family and carers.

Sensorem’s personal alarm has GPS positioning, medication reminders and automatic fall alarm

Sensorem’s personal alarm is an example of a technical aid specially developed for people with dementia. The personal alarm works outdoors and has built-in GPS positioning so that relatives can see the user’s position on a map in the Sensorem app. Relatives are automatically called by the personal alarm (two-way communication) if the user leaves a predetermined geographical area. The personal alarm also has medication reminders, which means that the watch emits a sound and tells the user that it is time to take their medication. The personal alarm can also alert automatically in the event of a fall with the built-in fall sensor.

 

 

READ ABOUT HOW SENSOREM’S PERSONAL ALARM CAN HELP PERSONS SUFFERING FROM DEMENTIA