From the Guidelines
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is characterized by distinct symptoms affecting behavior, personality, and language, with early signs including inappropriate social behavior, lack of empathy, apathy, compulsive behaviors, and poor judgment, as highlighted in a 2020 study published in Brain 1. The symptoms of FTD can be divided into several categories, including:
- Behavioral symptoms: inappropriate social behavior, lack of empathy, apathy, compulsive behaviors, and poor judgment
- Language difficulties: trouble finding words, reduced speech, or difficulty understanding language
- Motor symptoms: muscle stiffness, weakness, or difficulty swallowing
- Personality changes: emotional blunting, loss of inhibition, and decreased personal hygiene These symptoms occur because FTD damages the brain's frontal and temporal lobes, which control behavior, personality, and language. According to a 2021 study published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, patients with FTD may also exhibit functional communication disorders, including language impairments, prosody, and accent changes 2. The specific symptom pattern depends on which brain areas are affected first, and as the disease progresses, patients eventually develop more severe cognitive decline and physical limitations. Early recognition of these symptoms is crucial for proper diagnosis and management, as delayed diagnosis can lead to incorrect treatment and poor patient outcomes, as noted in the 2020 Brain study 1. In terms of management, the 2021 Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry study suggests that speech and language therapy can be effective in treating functional communication disorders in patients with FTD, including strategies such as education and explanatory approaches, symptomatic treatment, and psychological interventions 2. Overall, a comprehensive understanding of the symptoms of FTD is essential for providing effective care and management for patients with this condition.
From the Research
Symptoms of Frontal Temporal Dementia
The symptoms of frontal temporal dementia (FTD) can be diverse and affect various aspects of an individual's behavior, language, and speech.
- Early symptoms include difficulty in word finding, reduced speech output, and comprehension deficits, often leading to aphasia 3.
- Behavioral changes observed in FTD patients include apathy, disinhibition, compulsive behaviors, and loss of empathy 3.
- Speech and language difficulties are often among the first indicative signs of frontotemporal dementia, and their proper recognition and understanding play a significant role in the differential diagnosis 4.
- The main variations of frontotemporal dementia are behavioral, progressive nonfluent aphasia, semantic dementia, and logopenic progressive aphasia 4.
Treatment and Management
While there is no cure for FTD, certain medications may help manage its symptoms.
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may be effective in reducing some behavioral symptoms, such as disinhibition, depressive symptoms, carbohydrate craving, and compulsions 5, 6, 7.
- Other medications, such as trazodone and stimulants, may also be used to manage behavioral symptoms, but their effectiveness may vary 5.
- Speech and language therapists play a crucial role in the diagnosis and treatment of FTD, and their involvement can help provide the highest quality services to people with dementia and their carers 4.