Frontotemporais

Frontotemporais refers to a set of neurodegenerative diseases that primarily affect the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. These areas are responsible for a wide range of functions including personality, behavior, language, and memory. The most common form of frontotemporal degeneration is frontotemporal dementia (FTD), which is an umbrella term for a group of disorders.

Symptoms of frontotemporal degeneration vary depending on which part of the frontal or temporal lobes is most affected. Behavioral variant FTD (bvFTD) is characterized by changes in personality, social behavior, and judgment, often leading to disinhibition, apathy, or compulsive behaviors. Semantic dementia, another type of FTD, primarily impacts language comprehension, with individuals losing the ability to understand words and recognize objects. Progressive non-fluent aphasia (PNFA) affects speech production, leading to slow, effortful speech and difficulty finding the right words.

The exact cause of frontotemporal degeneration is often unknown, but genetic factors play a role in some cases. While there is currently no cure, treatments focus on managing symptoms and providing support to individuals and their caregivers. Diagnosis typically involves a combination of neurological examination, cognitive testing, and neuroimaging. The progression of these diseases is variable, and they can affect individuals at a younger age than other forms of dementia.