Frontal Temporal Dementia
Frontal temporal dementia is responsible for only 3% of all dementia cases world wide, but its effects are quite perplexing and detrimental to those held victim to this disease. Frontal temporal dementia affects both the anterior and temporal lobes of the brain, exactly where our most important functions are developed and controlled. The executive functions, including speech, personality, reasonability, judgment, social graces, and certain aspects of our memories, are all at risk of being thrown askew, and those suffering this debilitating disease will be lost to it in stages.
Men and women appear to be at the same risk level for FTD, and the disease tends to strike between the ages of 35 and 70. There is no cure, and there are no methods of slowing the disease. The most promising breakthroughs have come in the form of controlling and easing the symptoms, making life a bit easier for both the patient and for the caregiver. There is no cure for frontal temporal dementia on the horizon this far, but the fight and the struggle never ends. As patients become more affected with each passing year, the behaviors that they exhibit make the difference quite clear between this and other types of dementia. Social graces seem to deteriorate, and the victim stops caring about hygiene and appearance. This can happen to those who have always taken great pride in their self presentation, and is quite confusing to those who know him.
Other symptoms of frontal temporal dementia can be even more disconcerting and difficult for both the ill and for those charged with care. Inhibition will increase over time, giving the victim little cause to worry about showing negatively in social situations. Inappropriate and often vulgar behaviors are often a sign of this dreadful illness. The victim may also seem unaware of, or even completely uninterested in his appearance or the cleanliness of his body and surroundings. This, again, may be very uncharacteristic of the person inflicted, and can be a sure sign of FTD.
Frontal temporal dementia sufferers are also prone to gaining weight, as the social and self preservation instincts are basically crushed beneath the disease. During the middle to final stages of frontal temporal dementia, the patient may lose his will to speak and become mute. Compulsive, repetitive behaviors are also common during the final throws, such as pacing, constant hand gestures, collecting things, and frequently washing the hands. As the disease progresses even further, the victim may become obsessed with hand to mouth habit, and will most likely develop an oral fixation with many non food items. Parts of the memory are lost during the last days of cognizance, and the loss of speech may make it impossible for you to determine what the victim wants or needs.