Frontotemporal Dementia: Symptoms, Causes And Treatments
Frontotemporal dementia is a degenerative disease that affects some brain lobes, causing a progressive decrease in size. This leads to behavioral, language, and motor symptoms.
It can be similar to and confused with other types of dementias. Below you will find a short article that summarizes the main characteristics of this condition. Keep reading!
Types of frontotemporal dementia
Depending on the anatomical region involved and the symptoms presented, it is possible to distinguish 3 types of frontotemporal dementia. Of course, there are cases in which the clinical manifestations of the varieties overlap. We explain it to you.
1. Front variant
This is the most common subtype and is characterized by changes in behavior that progressively deteriorate the patient’s social interaction. Neither memory nor the ability to perform manual activities are obviously affected.
2. Progressive primary aphasias
Patients affected by this variety have difficulty understanding and emitting oral language. This can include anything from problems naming objects to grammatical errors. Some of the symptoms may resemble those of Alzheimer’s disease.
3. Semantic insanity
The main characteristic of this type of frontotemporal dementia is the difficulty to remember the meaning of the words. Although there are also behavioral changes, they are different from the front variant.
For example, patients may spend long periods of time absorbed in manual activities, such as painting.
Causes of frontotemporal dementia
This disease is characterized by the progressive reduction in size of the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, which would explain the symptoms.
According to a review article from 2008, there are genetic alterations related to the pathology. Some of the genes involved are the following:
- MAPT ( microtubule associated protein tau ): it is located on chromosome 17 and is related to some clinical forms of frontotemporal dementia in which there are symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease.
- PGRN ( precursor granulin ): with a location very similar to the previous one.
Despite these findings, only 20-40% of cases are inherited, so it is likely that there are environmental factors that influence development.
Symptoms of frontotemporal dementia
The clinical manifestations are the result of damage to the corresponding brain lobes. As discussed by the Mayo Clinic, the frontal lobe is related to voluntary body movement and language. On the other hand, memory and behavior have their origins in the parietal lobe.
It usually affects people between 40 and 65 years of age, so the age of presentation is lower than in most dementias.
The symptoms are related to drastic changes in personality, language and movement that appear progressively. Some of the most frequent are the following:
- Apathy.
- Loss of social inhibition.
- Neglect of personal hygiene.
- Putting any type of object in the mouth.
- Difficulty understanding and emitting oral language.
- Tremors.
- Muscle stiffness or weakness.
- Any type of inappropriate social behavior, such as frequent laughter.
All these symptoms cause difficulty in maintaining personal and work relationships, with the consequent isolation.
How is it diagnosed?
Doctors usually diagnose temporary dementia by taking into account clinical and imaging aspects. The former include the manifestations described in the previous section, while the latter involve computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies.
The difference between the latter two lies in the quality of the image, the cost, the physical principles by which they act and the emission of radiation. MRI, for example, is a technique that, despite being more expensive, provides clearer images of some brain structures, in addition to not emitting radiation.
As part of the diagnostic process, specialists must rule out other more frequent neuropsychiatric diseases. This may require blood tests, neuropsychological tests, and tests to assess the quality of sleep.
What treatment options are there?
Frontotemporal dementia has no cure. However, taking antipsychotic and antidepressant medications can help improve symptoms, especially with regard to behavioral problems.
Antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are characterized by changing the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. Within this group, sertraline and fluoxetine stand out.
In the case of antipsychotics, these can also be used for other disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Quetiapine and olanzapine are some examples that could be prescribed in the treatment of frontotemporal dementia.
On the other hand, speech therapy and psychotherapy help both the patient and the caregivers to cope with the disorder more effectively, improving the quality of life.
Tips and lifestyle
According to the MSD Manual, this disease greatly affects patients and their loved ones. When advanced stages are reached, there is usually a need for personal caregivers.
They should have an active role and it is preferable that they follow the following recommendations:
- Learn as much as possible about the disease: this will allow you to understand the problem in a comprehensive way and avoid frustrations.
- Distribute responsibilities: it is common for the family burden to be attributed to a few people, although it is advisable to establish effective communication with all those involved to handle the situation in the best possible way.
- Do not give up other aspects of life: although it can be depressing and exhausting, under no circumstances should personal customs and aspirations be neglected.
A problem for the whole family
Frontotemporal dementia, once diagnosed, can represent a real problem for the patient and their families. In case of presenting any of the aforementioned symptoms, it is advisable to schedule a consultation with a trusted neurologist or psychiatrist. This will guide in the first steps and will refer to another specialist in the necessary cases.
