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What Is Frontotemporal Dementia, The Condition Bruce Willis Is Diagnosed With?

Bruce WillisRecently, Bruce Willis’ wife Emma Heming Willis spoke about her husband’s three-year frontotemporal dementia journey on ABC’s Emma & Bruce Willis: The Unexpected Journey. “Bruce is in really great health overall... It’s just his brain that is failing him,” she said. But what is frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and is it the same as Alzheimer’s?Here’s what it means, as well as some symptoms of the condition.Frontotemporal dementia vs Alzheimer’s: what’s the difference?Alzheimer’s and FTD are both forms of dementia, but they are not the same. FTD affects a different part of the brain than Alzheimer’s.FTD happens in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, which are linked to language, behaviour, and personality. That’s why many people like Bruce struggle with language when they develop the condition. Alzheimer’s usually affects the entorhinal cortex and hippocampus, which are linked to memory and learning, first before spreading to other parts of the brain. FTD can happen earlier than Alzheimer’s. “Most people with FTD are diagnosed in their 40s and early 60s,” Alzheimer’s Association says. Behavioural changes are also a common symptom of early behavioural FTD (bvFTD), the most common form of the condition, while those with Alzheimer’s tend to see memory changes first and personality shifts later.Those with Alzheimer’s may have more issues with spatial awareness but fewer problems with understanding others’ speech and speaking in a way that makes sense to others than those with FTD. What are the symptoms of frontotemporal dementia?Early signs of the condition include insensitivity and rudeness, a loss of interest in loved ones, acting rashly and impulsively, a change in your food preferences, and repetitive habits (like humming).You might also start using the wrong word for the wrong thing, begin repeating the same few phrases or words, and mix up the order of your sentences. Poor planning, bad judgment, struggling to recognise familiar faces and objects, as well as physical side effects like stiffness in the joints and difficulty swallowing, can appear later on in the condition. See your GP if you suspect you or a loved one has dementia, as early diagnosis is key to better care.Related...Emma Heming Willis Shares Gut-Wrenching Update About Bruce Willis' Life With DementiaEating These Fats May Protect Women From DementiaThis Exercise Type May Reduce Dementia Risk By 88%

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