Frontotemporal Dementia
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is caused by damage to the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. These are the parts of the brain that control personality, emotions, behaviour, thinking and language.
The symptoms of FTD can vary depending on which parts of the frontal and temporal lobes are affected. Although FTD is rare compared with Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia, it is the second most common cause of early-onset dementia, which is the name for dementia in people younger than 65 years old.
Symptoms may include:
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Personality changes
Changes in how a person expresses their feelings towards others, a lack of interest or concern, become dis-inhibited or behave inappropriately.
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Lack of personal awareness
People may fail to maintain their normal standards of personal hygiene or grooming.
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Lack of social awareness
This might include making inappropriate jokes, or showing a lack of interest.
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Diet
Changes in food preferences, over eating or over drinking.
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Behaviour changes
People change their humour or sexual behaviour, become violent or develop unusual beliefs, interests or obsessions. Some people become impulsive or easily distracted.