What is frontotemporal dementia?

Frontotemporal dementia or FTD is a type of dementia that usually affects people aged 45-65 (dementia usually affects people over 65), but it can also be diagnosed in younger or older people. FTD causes problems with language and behavior which are, in turn, caused by gradual changes and damage in the brain and get worse over time. In the case of FTD, the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain are affected.

20-50% of all FTD cases are considered to be familial. Genetic FTD is generally passed down in families in a dominant pattern. In many cases, genetic frontotemporal dementia is caused by a mutation in one of the three genes known as C9ORF72, MAPT, or GRN. In some cases (but rarely), it is caused by a mutation in one of the other genes, including TARDBP, CHMP2B, SQSTM1, UBQLN1, TBK1, or VCP.

Diagnosing FTD can be challenging because its symptoms overlap with Alzheimer’s disease and other conditions. Nevertheless, these are the symptoms of frontotemporal dementia that occur in most cases:

Noticing these symptoms is the first step in getting diagnosed and receiving proper treatment. If you are experiencing these symptoms or you know someone who is, seek professional help for yourself or them. Get in touch with your general practitioner who will perform some simple tests before directing you to a specialized clinic where you can get further tests done if needed.

Younger Onset Dementia

If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of FTD early on, it is necessary to get the right treatment. In addition to that, there are some general guidelines to follow when caring for patients with younger onset dementia:

Frontotemporal Dementia Research Group (FRONTIER)

Frontotemporal Dementia Research Group or FRONTIER is a clinical research group in Sydney, Australia. FRONTIER is dedicated to studying frontotemporal dementia and other related disorders. The group investigates the neurological, psychological, and biological basis of brain function in FTD and healthy aging.

If you have ever thought, “How can I find someone to write my paper?” then you might be in the right place. FRONTIER won’t write your paper for you, but the research group will definitely help you with your research on dementia and anything related to it. It is a place for people affected by FTD to get help and for students and researchers to study the disease.

The team behind FRONTIER consists of experts in frontotemporal dementia and illnesses related to it. Founded in 2007, the group has been diagnosing and caring for people with FTD and other conditions. In addition to that, FRONTIER actively participates in the research of social cognition, neuroimaging, clinical management, behavior, speech and language, and other aspects of FTD and dementia.