Disease Overview
FTD is the most common form of dementia for people under age 60.
FTD is also frequently referred to as frontotemporal dementia, frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), or Pick's disease. It represents a group of brain disorders caused by degeneration of the frontal and/or temporal lobes of the brain. FTD subtypes include:
- Behavioral Variant FTD
- Primary Progressive Aphasia:
- FTD-ALS
- Corticobasal Syndrome
- Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
Información de la DFT en español
Este nuevo PDF ofrece una guía sobre todas las formas de la DFT, la demencia más común para personas menores de 60 años.
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How does FTD differ from Alzheimer's disease?
Uncharacteristic personality changes, apathy, and unexplained struggles with decision-making, movement, speaking or language comprehension
are the most common symptoms. Often people appear physically healthy despite the neurodegeneration.
Although age of onset ranges from 21 to 80, most FTD cases occur between 45 and 64. Therefore, FTD has a substantially greater impact on work, family, and finances than Alzheimer's. (The economic burden of FTD is approximately $120,000 per year, nearly double the amount associated with Alzheimer's.
FTD’s estimated U.S. prevalence is around 60,000 cases, and many in the medical community remain unfamiliar with it. FTD is frequently misdiagnosed as Alzheimer’s, depression, Parkinson’s disease, or a psychiatric condition. On average, it currently takes 3.6 years to get an accurate diagnosis.
How does FTD progress?
The progression of symptoms - in behavior, language, and/or movement - varies by individual, but FTD brings an inevitable decline in functioning. The length of progression varies from 2 to over 20 years.
As the disease progresses, the person affected may experience increasing difficulty in planning or organizing activities. They may behave inappropriately in social or work settings, and have trouble communicating with others, or relating to loved ones.
Over time, FTD predisposes an individual to physical complications such as pneumonia, infection, or injury from a fall. Average life expectancy is 7 to 13 years after the start of symptoms (Onyike and Diehl-Schmid, 2013). The most common cause of death is pneumonia.
Are there options for treatment?
Today, there is no cure for FTD, and no treatments available to slow or stop the progression of the disease. However, if you or a family member or loved one are affected, there are important steps that you can take to preserve and maximize quality of life. A growing number of interventions - not limited to medication - can help with managing FTD symptoms.
It is important for you and your care partner to identify a team of experts who can help with coordinating care and with the legal, financial, and emotional challenges brought on by this disease.
You are not alone - AFTD is here to help.
Are you concerned that you or someone you love has FTD?
AFTD developed checklists to help identify red flags for three common clinical subtypes of FTD:
› Contact AFTD's HelpLine (866-507-7222 or [email protected]) for guidance and resources regarding your FTD diagnosis, care, and support as well as opportunities to connect with others in your area.
› Join in-person or online support groups for people with FTD and their care partners.
› Review AFTD's resources and publications that offer crucial help for every stage of the journey.
› Stay informed by subscribing to email updates.
Información de la DFT en español
Este nuevo PDF ofrece una guía sobre todas las formas de la DFT, la demencia más común para personas menores de 60 años.
Sign Up with AFTD
Stay on top of the latest FTD news and AFTD events.
