Actor Bruce Willis has been identified as having frontotemporal dementia, a class of brain conditions brought on by a progressive loss of nerve cells in the brain.
The 67-year-old's condition has worsened since his initial diagnosis of aphasia, which impairs speech, and he now has a more precise diagnosis, according to his family.
FTD is a condition that affects people. It results from the progressive loss of nerve cells in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. The shrinkage of those areas can affect a person's personality, behavior, and language.
This is not exactly the same as "dementia," a term that is used to describe the signs of many different brain diseases, including Alzheimer's.
In contrast to most other forms of dementia, FTD is unusual in that it primarily affects people in midlife, between the ages of 45 and 65. FTD comes in a variety of forms, but the Alzheimer's Association estimates that 50,000 to 60,000 Americans are affected by the disease.
Behavioral and personality changes, as well as issues with language and concentration, are symptoms.
Inappropriate social behavior, a lack of judgment, being easily distracted, and motor issues like muscle weakness and tremors are a few of these.
The Mayo Clinic states that FTD can be misdiagnosed as a psychiatric condition because it has an impact on people's personalities and behaviors. .
Although some of the symptoms can be treated, there is no cure for the disease and no way to slow it down. As the disease progresses, patients eventually need full-time care. Most people survive eight to ten years after receiving a diagnosis, but some people do.
Since there is no specific test, a diagnosis is typically made after conducting tests and ruling out other possibilities.
Contact a healthcare professional for an assessment if you notice subtle changes in behavior or language.
A family history of the disorder is the only known risk factor.
