Frontotemporal Dementia & Primary Progressive Aphaisa (PPA)

If you've recently heard of Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) in the news, you may be wondering what exactly it is. FTD is a neurological condition that primarily affects the frontal and temporal lobes, caused by damage to the neurons in these sections of the brain. Unlike other conditions, such as Alzheimer's Disease, FTD is more often diagnosed in younger individuals, typically around ages 45 to 64.
There are several variants of FTD, including the language variant, known as Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA). PPA is characterized by difficulties with semantic skills, speaking, writing, and language comprehension. Individuals with PPA may have a harder time understanding words or formulating sentences. Speaking may sound hesitant, strenuous, and difficult for others to comprehend. In some cases, individuals with FTD may also experience behavioral and personality changes.
FTD may be assessed through a thorough medical history and neurological examination by the patients care team (primary care provider, neurologist, psychologist). Tests for FTD may include a neuropsychological exam to test cognitive functioning, neuroimaging such as an MRI, and other physical/lab work to rule out other possible diagnoses.
If you or a loved one may have FTD, you may wonder what you can do to help. Speech and language therapy can help improve fluency and facilitate functional communication that helps the patient reach their personal goals. Additionally, compensatory-based approaches can help ease the communication process with friends and loved ones. Some compensatory strategies include using gestures and non-verbal communication, drawing and creating visual aids for the patient to point to, utilizing augmentative communication tools such as tablet apps or speech-generating devices, and reducing potential breakdowns in communication (e.g., avoiding interrupting or filling in words for the patient, speaking in a slow, clear manner, limiting overlapping or group conversations, maintaining a respectful attitude).
Below, we have listed resources that you may find helpful and supportive in your journey:
• The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (www.theaftd.org): A supportive website focusing on finding help and support, sharing experiences, and providing information and resources for individuals with FTD and their loved ones. To contact the AFTD, reach out to 1-866-507-7222 or [e-mail].
• Alzheimers.gov Clinical Trials Finder tool (www.alzheimers... For those who are interested in exploring possible clinical trials, you can search for research being conducted in your area. Simply put in your zip code, city, or state, and narrow your results to your topic of interest!
For more information, you can also check out these educational websites:
• Alzheimer's Association - Frontotemporal Dementia (www.alz.org/al...)
• University of Pennsylvania - About FTD & Related Disorders (www.med.upenn....)
• John's Hopkins - Frontotemporal Dementia (www.hopkinsmed...)
• TactusTherapy - What is Primary Progressive Aphasia? (tactustherapy....)
• Mayo Clinic - Frontotemporal dementia care at Mayo Clinic, Your Mayo Clinic Care Team
(www.mayoclinic...)
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References:
National Health Service. (2020). Overview Frontotemporal dementia. www.nhs.uk/con...
www.canva.com
www.pexels.com
Blausen.com staff (2014). "Medical gallery of Blausen Medical 2014". WikiJournal of Medicine 1 (2). DOI:10.15347/wjm/2014.010. ISSN 2002-4436.