Frontotemporal dementia - Symptoms of frontotemporal dementia

People with frontotemporal dementia tend to have problems with emotions, communication and behaviour. They will not usually be aware of these changes.

The early symptoms depend on which area of the brain is affected (see box, right).

Generally, symptoms gradually worsen over a period of three to 10 years.

Behavioural and mood changes

Behavioural and emotional changes vary widely from person to person – for example, some may be uninterested and seem to have no drive, while others may be impulsive and more outgoing, with no inhibitions.

Typical signs are:

inappropriate behaviour in public
impulsivity
loss of inhibitions
overeating, a change in food preferences (such as suddenly liking sweet foods), poor table manners
neglect of personal hygiene
repetitive or obsessional behaviours, such as humming, hand-rubbing and foot-tapping, or complex routines such as walking exactly the same route repetitively
seeming more selfish
inability to empathise with others, seeming cold and uncaring
irritability
being tactless or rude
being less or more outgoing than in the past
being lethargic, lacking enthusiasm
depression

As the disease progresses, people with frontotemporal dementia may become socially isolated and withdrawn.

Problems with language

People with frontotemporal dementia tend to gradually lose the ability to speak, eventually becoming mute.

Signs are:

reduced speech and conversation
lack of spontaneous speech
difficulty finding words
using lots of words but little content
less fluent speech or problems with articulation

Problems with thinking

Many people with frontotemporal dementia lose the ability to think for themselves. Signs are:

needing to be told what to do
poor planning and problem solving
becoming easily distractible
thinking in a rigid and inflexible way
losing the ability to understand abstract ideas
memory difficulties (although not common in the early stages)
difficulty in communicating

Physical problems

In the later stages, many people with frontotemporal dementia may develop problems with movement. They may no longer initiate movements and may become rigid.

Some may lose control of their bladder and bowel. Read more about urinary incontinence and bowel incontinence.