Frontotemporal dementia

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is the second most common form of dementia in persons younger than 65 years after Alzheimer’s disease. The FTD spectrum is characterized by clinical, molecular and genetic heterogeneity. Core features of FTD are behavioural and language manifestations and the clinical spectrum of FTD currently includes a behavioural variant, progressive nonfluent aphasia and semantic dementia. The most common behavioural features are disinhibition, apathy, loss of empathy, hyperorality and perseveration. Neuroimaging usually demonstrates focal atrophy and hypometabolism in the anterior part of the frontal and temporal lobes. A careful history and neuropsychological examination, and judicious use of neuroimaging, can help distinguish FTD from other common forms of dementia, especially Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, and dementia with Lewy bodies. Although no specific pharmacological treatments for FTD exists, symptom management with serotonin reuptake inhibitors and non pharmacological interventions have been shown to be beneficial.