Unlike, Alzheimer's disease, which generally affects most areas of the brain, Frontotemporal Dementia is a progressive dementia that affects specific areas of the brain - the frontal and temporal lobes. In some cases, brain cells in these areas shrink or die. In other cases, the brain cells in these areas get larger, containing round, silver "Pick bodies". In both situations, the changes affect the person's functioning.

Pick's Disease is a form of Frontotemporal Dementia.

Other names for Frontotemporal Dementia include:

•  Frontal Lobe Dementia
•  Primary Progressive Aphasia
•  Cortibasal Degeneration
•  Pick's Complex

How does Frontotemporal Dementia affect the person?

Since the frontal and temporal areas of the brain can be affected in different ways, early symptoms often affect either behaviour and/or speech (language).

Changes in behaviour may include becoming either withdrawn or disinherited (e.g., speaking rudely). The person may lose interest in personal hygiene, become easily distracted or repeat the same action over and over again. Overeating or compulsively putting objects in the mouth may occur. Sometimes incontinence comes early in the disease.

Problems with speech (language) can range from reduction of speech to total loss. i.e. becoming mute. Echoing what has been said by others and stuttering are common symptoms. The person may have difficulty sustaining a train of thought or maintaining a conversation for any length of time. Writing and reading are also affected.

In the early stage of Frontotemporal Dementia, behaviour changes or problems with speech (language) can appear separately. As the disease progresses, these two areas will overlap. Unlike Alzheimer's disease, a person with Frontotemporal Dementia often remains oriented to time and has preserved memory in the early stages. In the later stages of the disease, general symptoms of dementia arise, i.e. confusion and forgetfulness. Motor skills are lost and swallowing difficulties occur.

Who gets Frontotemporal Dementia?

Frontotemporal Dementia can affect both men and women. Although it can arise any time during adult life, most affected individuals are between 50-60 years of age. The average length of the disease is 7-8 years.

What causes Frontotemporal Dementia?

Little is known about the cause of Frontotemporal Dementia and risk factors have yet to be identified. While most cases of Frontotemporal Dementia are not inherited, there is an autosomal dominant gene (chromosome 17) which can be passed from generation to generation. This type affects family members around 40 years of age and is extremely rare.

Is there a treatment for Frontotemporal Dementia?

At present, there is no known cure for Frontotemporal Dementia and the progression cannot be slowed down.

For more information:

•  Frontotemporal Dementia (Pick's Disease). Alzheimer Canada


•  The Art of Dementia a BBC report
•  Association for Frontotemporal Dementias
•  Frontal and Temporal Lobe Dementia emedicine journal vol 2 # 4, 27 April 2001
•  Frontal Lobe Dementia. Northwestern University
•  Frontal Lobe Dementia, including Pick's Disease. Alzheimer's Association, Australia
•  Frontotemporal Dementia. Family Caregiver Alliance
•  Frontotemporal Dementia. Memory & Aging Center, University of California, San Francisco
•  Frontotemporal Dementia & Other Frontotemporal Dementia. Dementia Update for the Practitioner
•  Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration . Jacksonville Medicine February 2000.
•  How to Recognize Frontotemporal Dementia. Neuropsychiatry Reviews April 2002
•  Long Term Care of Patients with Frontotemporal Dementia. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association November/December 2003.
•  NINDS Frontotemporal Dementia Information Page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
•  Pick Disease. emedicine journal vol 2 # 11, 27 November 2001
•  Pick's Directory. Alzheimer's Outreach
•  Pick's Disease. CRIS
•  Pick's Disease. General Health Encyclopedia
•  Pick’s Disease. Medical Encyclopedia. Medlineplus Health Information
•  Pick's Disease: Support Group Online
•  What is Fronto-Temporal Dementia (including Pick's Disease)? Alzheimer's Society (UK)

This Related Dementia Information Sheet was created by the Alzheimer Society of Canada in collaboration with the Alzheimer Societies of Saskatchewan and British Columbia to explain some of the more common dementias. The Information Sheet is not intended to replace clinical diagnosis by a health professional.

Source: Research- Related Dementia - Pick's Disease - Alzheimer Society of Canada.