Frontotemporal dementia

FTD

What is frontotemporal dementia (FTD)?

Frontotemporal dementia is a rare, progressive type of dementia. FTD generally affects people between the ages of 40 and 65.

What causes FTD?

FTD is caused by damage to the front and side of the brain. The damage is thought to occur from a build of Tau, a protein found in the brain. Too much Tau can affect the way the brain functions. Faulty genes may also be responsible for tissue damage and an eventual FTD diagnosis.

What are the symptoms of frontotemporal dementia?

The symptoms of FTD can be divided into 2 categories:

Behavioural:

  • Acting out of character and being impulsive
  • Being insensitive and uncaring towards others
  • A lack of interest and motivation
  • Repetitive behaviours

Language:

  • Using the wrong words, or putting them in the wrong order
  • Speaking very slowly, as the brain tries to find the correct word
  • Repeating words and phrases

In the later stages of FTD, physical and mental symptoms may occur, such as:

  • Loss of bladder and bowel control
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Difficulty moving the limbs
  • Loss of awareness

FTD may be linked to other neurological conditions, such as motor neurone disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, Parkinson’s, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and corticobasal syndrome.

Are you affected by FTD?

If you’re affected by frontotemporal dementia The Brain Charity can support you.

We are the only charity in the UK to be here for every one of more than 600 different neurological conditions in existence. Individually, many are rare, but combined they affect 1 in 6 people.

We provide practical help on all aspects of living with FTD, emotional support such as counselling, phone befriending and group therapy and social activities to people with FTD from all over the UK from our centre in Liverpool.

Looking to talk to someone?

Woman smiling, making eye contact and holding the hand of another woman to comfort her

Phone us

Contact The Brain Charity now

Our friendly Information & Advice Officers are here to help. We endeavour to respond to all enquiries within 10 working days.

0151 298 2999

Looking to talk to someone?

  • Please tell us which neurological condition you are affected by and what you need support with.

Caring for someone with FTD

We support carers, friends and family too

Are you a carer or relative of someone with FTD? It’s just as important for you to look after your own physical and mental wellbeing too.

The Brain Charity provides free support for carers, friends and family of people with any form of neurological condition, including FTD, from anywhere in the UK.

We also run additional carers advocacy service for all carers in Liverpool, regardless of which type of condition the person they care for has.

You don’t need to be a formal or registered carer

We can help you even if you don’t view yourself as a formal carer or claim Carer’s Allowance.
Find out some of the ways we support carers below.

Other resources

Support groups

Rare Space

Rare Space provide support in association with www.raredementiasupport.org and The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (NHNN) in London.

The new branch of their charity aims to provide projects and activities for their those touched by dementia.

Click here to become a member.

FTD Talk

Visit FTD Talk run by professionals at NHNN, London.

They offer clinical information on all aspects of FTD.

Lifted Dementia Support Group

Join this general dementia UK based Facebook group to share experiences with those touched by similar dementias.

Support groups at The Brain Charity

Are you interested in setting up a FTD support group, or do you already run one?

Email activities@thebraincharity.org.uk to let us know.

Alternatively, check out our list of related support groups here.

Other charities

Dementia UK

Alzheimer's Research UK

Rare Dementia Support

Alzheimer's Society

Helpline: 0300 222 1122

Website: www.alzheimers.org.uk