What Are The Causes & Risk Factors?

Researchers don’t know what causes frontotemporal dementia. The only known  risk factors are a similar disorder or family history of dementia, as it is inherited  in about 1/3 of all cases. However, most people with the disease have no family  history or other dementia.

What Are The Symptoms?

Language

• Difficulty speaking or hesitant speech
• Difficulty using and understanding language, written or spoken, like  trouble word finding

Personality &  Behavior

• Frequent mood changes, like increased agitation 
• Trouble reading social signals 
• Lack of empathy 
• Impulsive, repetitive, or inappropriate behavior 
• Low motivation 
• Emotional withdrawal 
• Decreased interest in activities
• Change in eating habits or eating inedible objects

Judgment & Decision Making

• Poor insight
• Impaired judgment

Task  Performance

• Trouble initiating and planning tasks
• Attention problems

Physical

• Tremors 
• Muscle spasms, weakness, or rigidity 
• Mobility changes, like slow movement, shuffling, trouble walking, poor  coordination, and balance issues
• Trouble swallowing

Important Note

People may not experience every symptom. These symptoms may not mean a person has frontotemporal dementia. It’s important to rule out other causes by talking to a doctor.

What Can You Expect?

• Frontotemporal dementia progresses over time. The time it takes varies from  person to person. People may require a higher level of care in later stages, like  full-time nursing care or living at a care facility.  
• Symptoms vary depending on the area of the brain affected.
• This disease may begin earlier than other types of dementia, often with  symptoms starting between age 40 and 65 (though it can occur earlier or later).
• Mobility issues from this disease may require a person to need a wheelchair or  stay in bed.
• Frontotemporal dementia may make a person more susceptible to other  illnesses like infections, pneumonia, and fall-related injuries.

What Treatments Are Available?

There is currently no cure for frontotemporal dementia or ways to slow its  progression. Treatments target the symptoms of the disease, which may include:  

• Medications. These may include medications to treat sleep issues or behavioral  symptoms like anxiety and compulsive or irrational behaviors.
• Therapies. Physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy can help  people with frontotemporal dementia cope with the physical symptoms of the  disease and engage in important activities.
• Behavior modification. This may help manage challenging behavioral symptoms.