How to Treat Frontotemporal Dementia

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) impacts the nerve cells of the brain's frontal and temporal lobes. Since these areas control behavior, concentration, judgment, language, memory, motivation, movement, personality, reasoning, social interaction and speech, it is possible for the disease to alter an individual completely. Changes happen slowly over a time span between two to 10 years. FTD generally appears earlier than other forms of dementia--as early as the late 30s. The disease isn't common, accounting for less than 8 percent of diagnosed dementia cases. Those afflicted live between five and 10 years after diagnosis.

Instructions

• 1

  Recognize when symptoms of FTD begin since treatment for the disease is limited. Typical symptoms include apathy, appetite increase, decrease in levels of activity, inappropriate or lewd behavior, lack of concern for others, memory loss or displacement of memories and no interest in hygiene or personal appearance. Sufferers may also have difficulty speaking, move stiffly, exhibit tremors and have severe problems with balance. Many will adopt compulsive disorders they didn't have before and a possible oral fixation.

• 2

  Prepare a thorough family history. Since FTD has a strong hereditary component, it is essential to know if dementia runs in the family. If so, the type and form of dementia should be identified to help the family physician in making a proper diagnosis and preparing a treatment plan.

• 3

  Make an appointment for a medical examination. An FTD diagnosis can be difficult to make since the symptoms mirror those of a number of other medical conditions (like Parkinson's Disease). Additionally, because symptoms come on gradually, they could be overlooked until they become more extreme.

• 4

  Obtain a psychological exam if the medical diagnosis is not clear. It can aid in determining which symptoms are already present, how much further they might go, and identify therapy (such as speech therapy) or treatment (like psychological) that may help with the disease.

• 5

  Get the proper brain imaging exams as well as any other tests necessary to identify the specific areas that have been damaged. This is crucial to determining how far the disease has already progressed and to identify a potential life span.

• 6

  Request tests to measure levels of tau--an essential brain chemical--and to determine how much of it has been lost or has already deformed into irreparable tangles. Since tau is an important part of a healthy nervous system, its degeneration can have a profound impact upon the disease's potential digression and treatment.

• 7

  Identify treatments that could be undertaken. While no cure for this form of dementia has been found, there are some medications that can help with its symptoms. These include antidepressants for anxiety or depression; antipsychotic and anxiolytic drugs for behavioral issues; cholinergic meds for cognition; serotonin reuptake inhibitors for food cravings and compulsions; and tranquilizers for insomnia.

• 8

  Approach drug therapy with caution. Begin with a low dose and continue to increase the amount periodically until the symptoms improve or go away. Begin with one drug at a time. Until the previous drug is already at the correct level to obtain the required results, it is not advised to introduce additional drugs.

• 9

  Implement strategies to protect both the patient and those round him. Appoint a guardian or grant a Power of Attorney to make financial, medical and other major decisions for the patient when he is no longer able to do so.

• 10

  Inform the patient about local support groups and other resources available. Explain the purpose for each of the groups or resources, how they might benefit him, and assist him in finding the ones that best suit his specific needs.

• 11

  Educate the patient's family so they understand what to expect from the disease, the options available for treatment, and resources they can draw upon for support. Make them aware of local support groups for dementia caregivers and help them find one that will suit their needs.

• 12

  Refer to the patient to specialists as needed. These may include psychiatrists, neurologists, pharmacologists and other experts in their respective fields.