Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a group of brain disorders that primarily affect the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. These areas of the brain are generally associated with personality, behavior, and language. FTD is rare and tends to occur at a younger age than other forms of dementia, with roughly 60% of people with FTD being 45 to 64 years old.

There are several types of FTD, but the most common is the behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) . Symptoms of bvFTD can include problems with planning and sequencing, difficulty prioritizing tasks or activities, repeating the same activity or saying the same word over and over, and changes in personality, behavior, and judgment. People with bvFTD may have problems with cognition, but their memory may stay relatively intact.

FTD can be misdiagnosed as a psychiatric problem or as Alzheimers disease, but it tends to occur at a younger age than Alzheimers disease. Signs and symptoms of FTD vary, depending on which part of the brain is affected. Some people with FTD have dramatic changes in their personalities and become socially inappropriate, impulsive, or emotionally indifferent, while others lose the ability to use language properly.

The diagnosis of FTD involves a thorough medical history, physical examination, and a variety of tests, including brain imaging and neuropsychological testing. There is no cure for FTD, but treatment can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.