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Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)

Overview

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a group of brain disorders that affects individuals between 45–65 years. It happens due to damage (atrophy or shrinkage) in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, which control behaviour, personality, language, and movement. About 50% of cases run in families due to inherited gene mutations.

  • Behavioural variant FTD: affects personality and social behaviour
  • Language variants: Progressive non-fluent aphasia and Semantic dementia
  • FTD with MND: overlap with motor neuron disease

Symptoms differ based on the types of disease:

  • Frontotemporal dementia
    • Altered personality, personal behaviour and social skills. (apathetic/disinhibited/overactive)
    • Progressive non-fluent aphasia
    • Perseveration
    • Loss of insight
    • Pure language deficit
      • Effortful and non-fluent speech
      • Impairment of well-rehearsed series, e.g. days of the week
      • Anomia
      • Comprehension intact
      • Impaired repetition
  • Semantic dementia
    • Loss of understanding of words
      • Cannot recognize faces/objects
      • Effortless and fluent speech, but without content
    • Semantic paraphasia, e.g. cat for dog
      • Impaired comprehension
      • Anomia
  • Frontotemporal dementia with MND
    • Amyotrophic lateral form of MND presented after dementia onset

FTD occurs due to shrinkage (atrophy) of the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. This affects areas responsible for behaviour, language, and decision-making.

Diagnosis is based on symptoms, imaging, and ruling out other causes:

  • EEG (electroencephalogram): usually normal
  • MRI brain: shows anterior temporal and frontal lobe atrophy
  • FDG PET scan: shows hypometabolism of frontal and temporal areas

Currently, there is no cure for FTD. Treatment is aimed at managing symptoms and improving quality of life:

  • Supportive care for behaviour abnormalities
  • Cognitive therapy to support communication
  • Social support for daily living
  • Medications may be used to control agitation, depression, or compulsive behaviours (under doctor’s advice)

Consult a neurologist if you or a loved one experiences:

  • Sudden changes in personality or social behaviour
  • Increasing difficulty with speech or understanding words
  • Progressive loss of judgment or problem-solving abilities

There is no known way to prevent FTD. However, genetic counselling can help families with inherited cases.

For diagnosis and management of FTD, consult a Neurologist (specialist in brain and nerve disorders).

Disclaimer:

The information in this Health Library is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional with any questions about a medical condition or before starting any treatment. Use of this site and its content does not establish a doctor–patient relationship. In case of a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or visit the nearest emergency facility immediately.