Frontotemporal dementia is a brain-wasting illness that has received prominence due to the claims of celebrities in television and cinema that they have it.

Doctors informed talk show presenter Wendy Williams that the patient had an uncommon form of dementia, according to a statement from caregivers. Williams reportedly had a number of medical examinations to determine his ailment. Bruce Willis, an actor, is apparently impacted by the illness as well.

Frontotemporal dementia: what is it?

A rare condition known as frontotemporal dementia, or FTD, damages the brain regions responsible for language and behavior. As the illness worsens, certain brain regions decrease.

People with FTD typically have symptoms from their 40s to early 60s. A person’s personality may alter as a result, leading to erratic or out-of-control conduct. It is occasionally confused with mental illnesses like bipolar disorder or depression. Doctors may need years to diagnose the illness.

Brenda Rapp works as a scientist at the University of Maryland. “Maybe you’re doing things that are bothering people and you don’t really understand why they’re bothering people,” Rapp said in reference to the disease’s symptoms.

Primary progressive aphasia is a disorder that impairs a person’s capacity to communicate and is associated with the disease. This type of FTD might make it difficult for a person to locate words or comprehend conversation.

Why does FTD occur?

It is thought that part of the issue is damage to neurons, which are the brain’s information carriers, however the underlying causes of a case are frequently not evident. An increased risk of developing the illness runs in families. However, most FTD patients do not have a family history of dementia.

Is it Possible to Treat FTD?

Although there is no known treatment for FTD, there are various approaches to managing the condition. Those with language-related disorders may benefit from speech therapy. To enhance their mobility, they could receive physical therapy.

Antidepressants and medications for Parkinson’s disease, a neurological disorder that shares certain symptoms with FTD, are administered to certain patients.

How Quickly Does FTD Develop?

FTD can be a chronic condition that lasts two to ten years. Those who have FTD will require nursing assistance or caregiving as their symptoms worsen.

According to Rapp, “the disease will spread throughout the brain.” The speed at which it accomplishes that is wildly erratic. Thus, it’s quite difficult to predict…the rate at which someone will decline.

A family’s expenses can be very significant. According to estimates from the Alzheimer’s Association, the average annual cost of health and long-term care for a person with dementia in the United States is $10,000.