What is frontotemporal dementia? Know more about the brain disorder affecting Bruce Willis

Hollywood veteran Bruce Willis has been diagnosed with untreatable dementia. For those of us who grew up being entertained by the ‘Die Hard’ franchise, or being spooked by the atmospheric horror ‘The Sixth Sense’, this is undoubtedly a huge shocker.

The actor’s family revealed that the progression of the neurodegenerative disease was what drove the ‘Pulp Fiction’ star to early retirement. In a public statement, the star’s relatives revealed that the dementia has reached an alarming stage. "Since we announced Bruce's diagnosis of aphasia in spring 2022, Bruce's condition has progressed, and we now have a more specific diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia," said the statement.

What Is Frontotemporal Dementia?

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, frontotemporal dementia is an umbrella term for disorders that affect the nerve cells in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. Lobes are portions of the brain that regulate personality, language skills, and behaviour.

Types Of Frontotemporal Dementia
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, this category of dementia can be classified into two types:

Frontal: This form of dementia affects behaviour.
Primary progressive aphasia: This results in speech problems and difficulty in comprehending language.



Symptoms:

• Inability to read social cues.
• Lone wolf behaviour.
• Deterioration in personal hygiene.
• Worsening of interpersonal skills. In advanced stages, the patient may begin to experience lapses in empathy.
• Loss of inhibition. This may lead to the individual behaving thoughtlessly or saying wildly inappropriate things.
• Repetitive behaviour like constant clapping of hands.
• An increased inability to comprehend language. Patients may struggle to express themselves verbally.
• Frequent mood changes.
• Inability to focus.
• Poor balance or coordination.

Causes
This is not a lifestyle disease. It is caused by genetic mutations.

Currently, No Cure Exists For This Dementia
Sadly, medical researchers are yet to discover a cure for frontotemporal dementia. As this is not a lifestyle disease, it cannot be prevented through dietary and other lifestyle changes. However, life can be made easier for patients through proper, doctor-prescribed medication. Antidepressants may be used to soothe anxiety. The health provider may suggest taking a sleeping pill to combat sleeplessness. In advanced stages, you can seek assistance from speech therapists to help a loved one.

The good news is that this is not a life-threatening disease. People diagnosed with dementia can live until a ripe old age. However, this may make them more vulnerable to infections and mess up their sense of balance, making them more prone to fall-related injuries. As patients often lose their mental faculties in advanced stages, they may require 24x7 assistance.