What is Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)?

By Lindsay Ehlers, ARNP

Dementia is defined as a shift in the way a person experiences the world around them. As a result, this condition causes them to have difficulty completing daily tasks without assistance.

While most people are familiar with Alzheimer’s disease, there are many other forms of dementia. Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is caused by damage to the front or temporal regions of the brain. People with FTD may have difficulty controlling their behavior and experience changes in judgment. They often say inappropriate things or have a lack of regard for other people’s feelings. They also become withdrawn from previously enjoyed activities. This condition can also cause trouble with language and thinking skills; people living with the condition may have difficulty speaking, naming objects or understanding conversation.

Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for FTD. However, there are medications that may help with the symptoms of the disease. For instance, one type of antidepressant – selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) – may help with agitation, irritability and lack of motivation.

Research shows that regular physical exercise improves brain health, as well as mood and overall health and well-being. Likewise, staying mentally active by engaging in new and novel learning is recommended. Eating a well-balanced diet, ensuring adequate sleep, limiting alcohol consumption, and staying socially active are other ways to promote brain health. Additionally, if present, other health illnesses that affect the brain should be managed, including diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

If you or someone you know is experiencing changes with memory, contact the Mercy Center for Memory Health to schedule an evaluation. Early diagnosis of dementia or the pre-clinical stages of memory loss is important to establish an individualized care plan. By doing so, we can help people living with cognitive changes stay as independent as possible with the appropriate support systems in place.

To learn more, contact the Center for Memory Health at (319) 398-6435.