Frontotemporal Dementia: A Devastating Form of Dementia Often Misunderstood

Written by Nguyenjessica

Published on June 5 2025

Dementia isn't just an old age issue anymore. Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) often strikes in the prime of life, changing how someone acts, speaks, and connects with others. It can turn a warm, caring person into someone cold or impulsive. Families are left shocked, confused, and overwhelmed.

FTD is more than memory loss—it's a silent storm that tears through personality and relationships. Want to know what signs to look out for and how to cope? This article walks you through the heart of this painful, lesser-known condition.

Frontotemporal Dementia: A Devastating Form of Dementia Often Misunderstood

Key Points

Frontotemporal dementia often affects middle-aged adults
Unlike Alzheimer’s, it usually appears between ages 45 and 64.

Behavior and speech changes are early signs
People may act out of character or struggle to speak clearly.

No cure yet, but support makes a difference
There’s no treatment to stop it, but care and understanding help a lot.

What exactly is 40hz therapy?

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Table of content

What Is Frontotemporal Dementia?

Symptoms of FTD: From Behavior to Language

The Three Main Types of FTD

What Causes FTD?

How to Support Someone with FTD?

What Is Frontotemporal Dementia?

When people think of dementia, they usually picture Alzheimer’s. But there’s another kind—Frontotemporal Dementia, or FTD—that shows up earlier and behaves very differently.

Memory isn’t always the first thing to go. With FTD, people often change in how they act, speak, or relate to others. Someone who used to be warm and easygoing might suddenly become blunt, distant, or unable to hold a conversation.

FTD happens when the brain’s frontal and temporal lobes start to break down. These areas control emotions, judgment, and language. Most cases appear between the ages of 45 and 64, and some even show up in people’s 30s. That’s why it’s often seen as a form of “midlife dementia.”

It may only account for 5–10% of all dementia cases, but the toll it takes on families is huge.

A well-known case is actor Bruce Willis. In 2022, his family revealed he had FTD. He lost the ability to express himself—heartbreaking for someone whose voice and dialogue were such a big part of his career.

Symptoms of FTD: From Behavior to Language

FTD symptoms can be very different from person to person, but some patterns are more common. One big one is a sudden shift in personality or behavior. Someone who used to be calm and polite might start acting impulsively or doing things that seem socially off.

They might stop caring about how they look or act cold toward others. A good example is a 50-year-old bank manager who began eating chips in meetings and acting oddly. At first, people thought it was just stress—then came the diagnosis.

So if someone starts behaving in ways that feel totally out of character, especially becoming rude or obsessed with routines, it could be a sign of FTD.

Another clue is trouble with language. People may struggle to understand others or have a hard time speaking clearly. Some just repeat the same word over and over. Bruce Willis, for instance, was first thought to have aphasia, but it turned out to be a language form of FTD, which brought his acting career to a close.

If a loved one suddenly seems confused by simple instructions, gets unusually quiet, or repeats themselves, it’s worth seeing a doctor.

In some cases, movement problems also show up—stiff limbs, slowed motion, or frequent falls. One woman in her 40s had tremors and kept falling. At first, doctors thought it was Parkinson’s. Only later, after her behavior changed, was FTD diagnosed.

These motor issues often appear later, but when they come alongside behavior shifts, they shouldn’t be ignored.

The Three Main Types of FTD

FTD can show up in different ways depending on which part of the brain is affected.

The most common form is called behavioral variant FTD. It makes up more than half of all cases. Here, major personality and behavior changes are the main signs. For example, a kind and calm professor suddenly became angry and started shouting at students during lectures. Eventually, he was forced to retire.

Another form is called Primary Progressive Aphasia, or PPA. It mainly affects language. Some people have trouble speaking clearly, while others struggle to understand words. A journalist in her 50s began losing her ability to form full sentences. She had to give up her career because of it.

There’s also a type that involves movement problems. These include conditions like Corticobasal Syndrome and Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. The symptoms can look a lot like Parkinson’s—stiffness, trouble with balance, and slowed motion. One runner slowly lost her ability to jog, then walk, and eventually became bedridden.

Each type of FTD affects daily life in different ways, but all of them gradually take away independence and change how a person relates to the world.

What Causes FTD?

Scientists are still digging into what causes FTD, but some factors are already clear.

One major clue is abnormal protein buildup in the brain. People with FTD often have excess Tau and TDP-43 proteins in their neurons. These proteins damage brain cells over time. While Tau is also seen in Alzheimer’s, the way it shows up in FTD is different and more specific.

Genetics also play a big role. Around 10 to 30% of people with FTD have a family history of the disease. If someone in your family has had it, your own risk may be much higher.

There are other possible risk factors too. Repeated head injuries—like those from contact sports—might raise the chance of developing FTD. But this link is still being studied.

How to Support Someone with FTD?

Right now, there’s no cure for FTD—but there are ways to manage the symptoms and offer support.

The most important thing is to understand the behavior changes. These aren’t personal choices. The disease affects parts of the brain that control how a person acts. For instance, if someone shows inappropriate sexual behavior, it’s not about bad manners. It’s the illness. Rather than reacting with anger or shame, look for safe and respectful ways to handle the situation.

Communication also needs to be adapted. Ask yes-or-no questions or offer simple choices, like “Would you like water or tea?” Speak slowly, clearly, and always stay calm and patient.

There are medications that can help. Antidepressants like SSRIs may ease mood problems, and antipsychotics might reduce impulsive actions. For those with movement issues, physical therapy can improve strength and mobility.

Since FTD progresses differently in each person, long-term planning is key. Some people live more than 10 years after diagnosis, while others decline quickly. Families should be ready for both the practical and emotional demands of caregiving. It’s a journey that requires strength, patience, and support.