Fronto-temporal lobe dementia describes dementia caused by a variety of conditions leading to neurodegeneration predominantly in the frontal or temporal lobes of the brain. This can cause problems with behaviour, language and memory. There is currently no effective treatment or cure.
FTLD can affect men or women from all ethnic backgrounds. It is usually diagnosed between the ages of 40 and 65, but it can be earlier or later. It is a degenerative disease and symptoms gradually worsen over 2-15 years.
In approximately 30% of cases, FTLD presents as a familial disease. Mutations in the MAPT, PGRN, C9ORF72 and TARDBP genes are the most frequent causes of familial forms of the disease but occur also at a lower rate in apparently sporadic cases. In other cases, the causes remain uncertain. Confirmation of diagnosis is currently not possible, except for genetically determined cases, until the examination of brain tissue after death.
More information can be found at:
Frontotemporal Lobe Degeneration Association
Alzheimer’s Society
The Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation
