In the frontal lobes, our adult personality sits. They control our ability to keep track. In some cases, language can be affected, says Lena Kilander, senior professor of geriatrics at Uppsala University, and former chief physician at Akademiska sjukhuset.
In Sweden, 7,000 to 8,000 people suffer from the disease, which is a smaller proportion of all those affected by dementia. A total of 140,000 people are estimated to have various dementia diseases in the country, of which Alzheimer's is the most common.
Creeping progression
Just like with Alzheimer's, the symptoms of frontotemporal dementia come creeping. The symptoms become more serious over time. Concentration, judgment, and impulse control are affected. Often, the person affected behaves in an inconsistent and reckless manner. Outbursts of anger occur and the person can lose the ability to feel empathy.
In some cases, the onset is due to heredity, but in most cases, one does not know what it is due to, says Lena Kilander.
No medications
Research has shown that at least half of those who suffer from frontotemporal dementia fall ill after the age of 65, but relatively many fall ill earlier, when they are 50-60 years old. Sometimes, the disease can be difficult to detect because several of the typical dementia symptoms, such as forgetfulness, are rare at first.
Currently, there are no medications that can counteract the disease progression or slow down the damage itself. The medications used for Alzheimer's have no effect on frontotemporal dementia.
