Frontotemporal dementia

Actor Bruce Willis has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, a disease that causes functional decline, his family announced in a statement Thursday, ...

In March of last year, Willis’ family announced he was stepping away from acting after being diagnosed with aphasia, a disorder that causes communication issues—but does not affect intelligence—and can be caused by an injury to the brain from head trauma, stroke or infection. The disease occurs when frontal and temporal lobes of the brain shrink, and it is not known what causes it. People who have the disease can live with it, though it makes them more susceptible to other issues that can be deadly, like pneumonia, infections and injuries from falling, according to [Johns Hopkins Medicine](https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/dementia/frontotemporal-dementia). “We know in our hearts that—if he could today—he would want to respond by bringing global attention and a connectedness with those who are also dealing with this debilitating disease and how it impacts so many individuals and their families.” Average life expectancy ranges from 7 to 13 years after the onset of symptoms, according to the AFTD. [Mayo Clinic](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/frontotemporal-dementia/symptoms-causes/syc-20354737).

Nearly a year after Bruce Willis' family announced that he would step away from acting after being diagnosed with aphasia, his family says his "condition ...

“As Bruce’s condition advances, we hope that any media attention can be focused on shining a light on this disease that needs far more awareness and research.” “FTD is a cruel disease that many of us have never heard of and can strike anyone.” Over a four-decade career, Willis’ movies had earned more than $5 billion at the worldwide box office.

Bruce Willis' family announced he has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. Here's what to know about the brain disorder.

"Depending on the part of the brain that's involved, we have medicines that are often helpful," Schulz said. "People don't actually die of the disease, per se," Schulz said. Schulz says medical professional will instead result in "symptomatic therapies" to treat the effects. The disorder has various subtypes and differs from Alzheimer's, as people diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia are typically younger. Trauma is another possible cause of the disorder, says Dr. As a result, medical professionals "can't be sure" of which symptoms will develop. The organization adds it is frequently misdiagnosed as Alzheimer's, depression, Parkinson's or a psychiatric condition, and it typically takes more than three years to get accurately diagnosed. "Depending on where it starts, you'll have a manifestation that goes along with that," he told USA TODAY. Those parts of the brain are generally associated with personality, behavior and language, Here's what to know about frontotemporal dementia: [The AFTD estimates ](https://www.theaftd.org/what-is-ftd/faqs/)there are about 50,000 to 60,000 people diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in the U.S. [according to the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration](https://www.theaftd.org/what-is-ftd/disease-overview/).

FTD is a form of dementia that does not have any treatment, according to the Mayo Clinic.

[AP](https://apnews.com/article/bruce-willis-health-dementia-a61f251adf19a73ba0010f06a38d38a5?taid=63ee937050e16d0001f314f9&utm_campaign=TrueAnthem&utm_medium=AP&utm_source=Twitter) reports. ](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0167404/?ref_=bo_se_r_1) Signs and symptoms may vary. [Mayo Clinic](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/frontotemporal-dementia/symptoms-causes/syc-20354737). [Association for Frontotemporal Dementia.](https://www.theaftd.org/what-is-ftd/disease-overview/) [dementia](https://www.axios.com/2022/07/13/dementia-alzheimers-brain-training-study-lifestyle-diet-exercise), his family said in a [statement](https://www.instagram.com/p/Cou_X88Jxlq/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=08e5a745-0f45-4256-bef5-75c14f1562e7) Thursday.

Bruce Willis has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, daughter Rumer reveals. "Painful, (but) a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis,"

Bruce and Emma Willis share two children together: Mabel, 10, and Evelyn, 8. "As Bruce’s condition advances, we hope that any media attention can be focused on shining a light on this disease that needs far more awareness and research." "While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis," the Instagram post states. [aphasia diagnosis.](https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2022/03/30/bruce-willis-aphasia-stepping-away-acting-rumer-demi-moore/7219022001/) [Stepping away from acting due to aphasia: 'A really challenging time'](https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2022/03/30/bruce-willis-aphasia-stepping-away-acting-rumer-demi-moore/7219022001/) [Bruce Willis](https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2022/03/30/bruce-willis-aphasia-stepping-away-acting-rumer-demi-moore/7219022001/) has been diagnosed with [frontotemporal dementia](https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2023/02/16/frontotemporal-dementia-bruce-willis-what-to-know/11273966002/), family members announced in a joint [Instagram post Thursday.](https://www.instagram.com/p/Cou_X88Jxlq/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D)

The three types of FTD are behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD), primary progressive aphasia (PPA) and movement-related disorders. The first and ...

They may also work with speech and language pathologists and physical and occupational therapists to adjust to the changes in their abilities. Now, Willis' condition has progressed and he's received a new diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia, his family [announced](https://www.theaftd.org/mnlstatement23/?utm_source=Instagram&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=MNL23) (opens in new tab) Thursday (Feb. People with FTD may be prescribed medications, such as antidepressants, antipsychotics and sleeping aids, to treat individual symptoms of the disorders. The three types of FTD are behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD), primary progressive aphasia (PPA) and movement-related disorders. PPA affects a person's ability to use and understand language; it comes in several forms, which differ in their specific symptoms. [diagnosed with aphasia](https://www.livescience.com/bruce-willis-what-is-aphasia), a neurological disorder that impacts the ability to produce and understand words.

The association also says nerve cell damage caused by FTD can lead to "loss of function in these brain regions, which variably cause deterioration in behavior, ...

He made a plan to make a bunch of movies and do as much as he could career wise, so that he could retire and take care of his family." It can affect your ability to speak, write and understand language, both verbal and written." Your continued compassion, understanding, and respect will enable us to help Bruce live as full a life as possible." "My grief can be paralyzing but I’m learning how to live alongside it." "As a family, we wanted to take this opportunity to thank you all for the outpouring of love and compassion for Bruce over the past ten months," the statement read. We know in our hearts that -- if he could today -- he would want to respond by bringing global attention and a connectedness with those who are also dealing with this debilitating disease and how it impacts so many individuals and their families." "For people under 60, FTD is the most common form of dementia, and because getting the diagnosis can take years, FTD is likely much more prevalent than we know. The association also says nerve cell damage caused by FTD can lead to "loss of function in these brain regions, which variably cause deterioration in behavior, personality and/or difficulty with producing or comprehending language." While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis." "FTD is a cruel disease that many of us have never heard of and can strike anyone," the statement added. The family concluded the statement by saying, "Bruce has always found joy in life -- and has helped everyone he knows to do the same. For your kindness, and because we know you love Bruce as much as we do, we wanted to give you an update."

Bruce Willis' aphasia condition has worsened, with his family announcing the actor has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia.

[according to the Mayo Clinic](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/aphasia/symptoms-causes/syc-20369518). “Bruce has always found joy in life — and has helped everyone he knows to do the same. “We have been so moved by the love you have all shared for our dear husband, father, and friend during this difficult time. Despite his uphill battle, the “Armageddon” star continued to appear in [public with friends](https://pagesix.com/2022/05/28/bruce-willis-enjoys-a-day-out-with-friends-after-aphasia-diagnosis/) and enjoy [“impromptu” jam sessions](https://pagesix.com/2022/08/16/bruce-willis-has-impromptu-jam-session-amid-aphasia-diagnosis/). “Today there are no treatments for the disease, a reality that we hope can change in the years ahead. “FTD is a cruel disease that many of us have never heard of and can strike anyone.

There are two main variants of FTD: primary progressive aphasia, which hampers a patient's ability to communicate, and behavioral variant frontotemporal ...

Dickinson said. Miller said. Grant said. Physicians often work with the families or loved ones of people with FTD to develop a care plan, which can include safeguards to make sure they cannot hurt themselves or their loved ones. There is no cure — “but there’s a difference between a disease not having a cure and saying, ‘There’s nothing we can do,’” he said. Speech therapy can also be a tool to help these patients, Dr. There are a few ways to distinguish between a psychiatric condition and FTD, though: Frontotemporal dementia typically affects people in their 50s and 60s, and it is unusual, although not impossible, he said, for people to develop a new psychiatric disorder at that age without a previous history of mental health concerns. People with FTD often struggle with organizational skills, failing to multitask or plan. Those with the behavioral variant of FTD may act out of character, said Dr. There are roughly 50,000 people in the United States with a diagnosis of FTD, she added, although many experts consider that number to be a vast undercount, because of how challenging it can be to diagnose. “It hits the parts of the brain that make us the most human,” said Dr. “FTD is a cruel disease that many of us have never heard of and can strike anyone,” the family wrote in a [statement](https://www.theaftd.org/mnlstatement23/?utm_source=Instagram&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=MNL23).

Actor Bruce Willis has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, a group of disorders caused by progressive nerve cell damage in the brain.

“Sure, you’ve lost some skills because of the illness you have, but you still have lots of skills left and you work with the skills you have.” “I’ve seen patients who completely lose their speech and yet they go out and take their camera and take beautiful photographs of the lives they’re living. Unlike Alzheimer’s disease, there are no current therapies to slow down the progression of FTD. Initial signs may include the inability to control movements, or issues with balance and walking. [ in a statement.](https://www.theaftd.org/mnlstatement23/?utm_source=Instagram&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=MNL23) “Unfortunately, challenges with communication are just one symptom of the disease Bruce faces. We will do some blood tests to make sure we’re not missing some treatable causes of cognitive impairment like thyroid disease or vitamin B12 deficiency as well,” he said. “And oftentimes, we also will do brain metabolism imaging,” Paulson said. “Aphasia really means problems with language, and that can vary from having trouble finding your words to understanding what people say. The condition typically strikes between the ages of 45 and 64, Because his symptoms began with difficulty speaking, Bruce Willis would be classified as having a type of FTD called primary progressive aphasia, said Dr. Over time, they may fail to recognize familiar faces and objects. People with FTD typically live six to eight years with the condition, according to the US National Institute on Aging.

FTD is a category of dementias that specifically affects the brain's frontal and temporal lobes and is the most common form of dementia in those younger ...

[Normal marital hatred](https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2022/09/23/marriage-relationships-conflict/?itid=lb_read-more-from-wellbeing_3) is real, and here are some ways to respond to it. [anxious](https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2022/09/13/mental-health-hope-fatigue-coping/?itid=lb_read-more-from-wellbeing_6) about them. [sitting all day](https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2022/09/14/meet-active-couch-potato-how-sitting-all-day-can-erase-workout/?itid=lb_read-more-from-wellbeing_5) can cause health problems. “FTD is a cruel disease that many of us have never heard of and can strike anyone.” [coffee or tea](https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/interactive/2022/coffee-vs-tea-nutrition-health/?itid=lb_read-more-from-wellbeing_4) better for you? [FTD](https://www.theaftd.org/posts/all-us-states/what-is-frontotemporal-dementia-the-disease-bruce-willis-is-diagnosed-with/)), a rare type of [dementia](https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/10/31/dementia-rates-black-americans/?itid=lk_inline_manual_2), his family [announced](https://www.theaftd.org/mnlstatement23/) Thursday.

Willis's family announced Thursday that his previous diagnosis of aphasia has progressed to frontotemporal dementia. The disease can cause issues with ...

About 30% of people with frontotemporal degeneration inherit the disease; there are no known risk factors. The results are analyzed in tandem with a patient's medical history and symptoms. "Unfortunately, challenges with communication are just one symptom of the disease Bruce faces," his family said.

Bruce Willis' family revealed that the actor has frontotemporal dementia (FTD), nearly a year after his aphasia diagnosis.

“Bruce always believed in using his voice in the world to help others, and to raise awareness about important issues both publicly and privately,” Willis’ family said in their statement. “A lot of our understanding has come since the 1990s when we identified the clinical syndrome, and the gene for the most common inherited form wasn’t discovered until 2011. “In genetic cases through which we know the underlying cause from the gene mutation, we will learn about the disease more broadly so we can help more patients.” While there is considerable research to better understand FTD and its causes, there are no treatments yet for the neurodegenerative condition. “Our understanding of FTD really accelerated dramatically in the past two decades,” says Darby. Researchers are focusing on the genetic forms of the disease in order to learn more about how it works, and how best to intervene with possible treatments, says Dr. Darby says that while some forms of language-related FTD involve TDP43, patients with behavioral symptoms can harbor excess forms of either protein, making it difficult to know which protein to target in drug trials. have the behavior and language versions of the condition. In FTD, patients develop abnormal deposits of one of two proteins—a form of a protein called tau and TDP-43—but not both. While FTD involves the gradual loss of brain nerves, it differs from Alzheimer’s in important ways. The diagnosis comes nearly a year after his family revealed Willis has [aphasia](https://time.com/6163559/aphasia-symptoms-bruce-willis/), which is characterized by difficulty speaking. Estimates of how many people are affected by FTD aren’t conclusive, but the Alzheimer’s Association