There are many different causes of dementia, the most common one being Alzheimer's disease. Another dementia is called frontotemporal dementia.
This particular type of dementia was at first given the name "picks disease" by the psychiatrist Alois Alzheimer. Alois named the condition after a German physician called Arnold Pick, who helped him study this work about the different forms of dementia. Today this term is still sometimes used, but mostly it is now given the name frontotemporal dementia.
This dementia affects both men and women alike. The dementia is mainly found in people in their fifties and sixties, but it has been known for people in their forties to be diagnosed with this terrible dementia. There is also a risk factor of you developing frontotemporal disease if there is already a family history of it.
The signs and symptoms of this disease are mainly found in changes in behavior and character, which include apathy, lack of awareness, increasingly inappropriate actions, decline in personal hygiene, lack of judgment, compulsive behavior and euphoria.
In some cases people will experience signs of being obstinate, selfish, irritable, inconsiderate, difficulty in walking, rigidity, tremors or muscle weakness.
The way to diagnose this type of dementia is to have a catscan (computed tomograhy) or MRI scan (magnetic resonance imaging) done. The scans are carried out to see if there is any degeneration of the corpus striatum, thalamus and any other subcortical structures that may occur. The doctor will be able to tell if the nerve cells are damaged in the front part of the brain, causing a reduction in activity.
Although the symptoms of frontotemporal dementia are similar to those of Alzheimer's disease, the medication which is given to Alzheimer's sufferers, such as exelon, aricept and reminyl could actually make symptoms worse with increased aggression for a person who has been diagnosed with having frontoptemporal dementia.
As of yet there is no known cure for frontotemporal dementia. Your doctor will check all of the medication which you are currently prescribed, this is to make sure that none of the medication is having an effect on the frontotemporal dementia.
Your doctor will discuss with you the different types of medication for frontotemporal dementia. Hopefully the medication will improve daily functioning and a better quality of life. Your doctor might decide to put you on anti-depressants as these have been known to improve some of the symptoms the patient is going through.
If you find yourself either thinking have you got frontotemporal dementia or somebody you know and love is suffering with with it, seek medical advice immediately. You will need to learn and understand how frontotemporal dementia is going to affect you and the rest of your family. You will need to understand how best to take care of the patient and their needs.