Frontotemporal Dementia Research Paper

Josephs, K.A., (2008). Frontotemporal dementia and related disorders: Deciphering the enigma. Annals Of Neurology [serial online]. July 2008; 64(1): 4-14. Retrieved 7/5/2015 from http://eds.b.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.utas.edu.au/eds/detail/detail?vid=5&sid=dfeca149-610b-4406b299b5969309beb8%40sessionmgr198hid=117bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmU%3d#db=c8h&AN=2010001272

Often times this disease has been called “the long good-bye” because the symptoms progress so gradually. Most often the disease shows itself in the elderly around the age of about eighty, and is rarely seen in people under the age of sixty-five. One of the characteristics of this disease that makes it so hard for scientists to find a cure, are the numerous factors that present themselves in different patients. It seems as if no two cases of Alzheimer’s can be exactly alike.

The member’s treating physician notes that certain subtypes of dementia such as Alzheimer’s versus frontotemporal dementia (FTD) can be distinguished and that this can influence treatment. He reports that medications such as Aricept can have a negative impact on FTD, while they are the standard of care for Alzheimer’s disease. In this member’s case, however, she has been taking Aricept without any apparent side

The condition includes those known as Pick’s Disease, Frontal Lobe Degeneration and Dementia associated with Motor Neurone disease.

This disorder however lacks amyloid plaques but neurofibrillary tangles are present that disrupt normal activities of cells resulting in their death. Experts believe that fronto-temporal dementia accounts for about 2-10% of all cases of dementia. The symptoms usually appear between the ages of 40 and 65. In some cases, people have a familial history of the disease and in such case genetic factor strongly influences the disease. People with this disorder may live up to 5-10 years after the diagnosis of disease. The frontal and temporal lobes of brain are concerned with judgment and social behavior but in this disorder as the nerve cells are destroyed so the individual finds it difficult to make decisions as well as maintain social communication. Other possible symptoms include loss of speech and language, repetitive behavior, increased appetite and motor problems like stiffness and balance problems. Memory loss occurs in later stages of the disease.

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is the name given to dementia when it is due to progressive damage to the frontal and/or temporal lobes of the brain.

This workshop and case study analysis is a dynamic and highly interactive session examining the factors increasing the risk of litigation in congregate settings when caring for (potentially) aggressive residents with Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD). A review of the pathophysiology, subtypes, diagnosis, causes, risks, treatment and outcome of this disease will serve as backdrop for case study analysis. The process of understanding the triggers exposing owner/operators and clinicians, when staffing/education, setting and service do not align in the care of residents with FTD, serve as the transition to case study analysis. Last, practical solutions for individual, departmental and facility exposure are provided as tools for those serving the elderly

This disease is not considering to be the part of normal ageing, while it becomes more prevalent when age increases and therefore, it affects older people (“Dementia (AIHW)”, 2016).

Dementia can be defined as a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life (alz.org). More than often, individuals affected by dementia are over the age of 65. In the United States, there are more than three million cases of dementia each year. According to World Health Organization, the number of people living with dementia is currently estimated at 47.5 million worldwide and is expected to increase to 75.6 million by 2030 (World Health Organization 2015). Dementia is caused by physical modifications in the brain and is known for loss of memory and mental abilities. It’s a progressive disease which means it gets worse over time. If diagnosed early on, the quality of life for people with dementia as well as their family members can be significantly improved. There are many different types of dementias although some are far more reciprocal than others. One of the most common types of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. Other few types of dementias are “Vascular dementia, Mixed dementia, Parkinson 's disease and Frontotemporal dementia (Krishnan, D. S)”. All of the various forms of dementia tend to have similar symptoms which consequently makes it hard to determine the type of dementia a patient may be suffering from.

Well the first question usually asked by a vast majority of those in the age range for such a disease is am I at risk for Alzheimer's. First you need to know the risk factors involved when discussing

Anna is living with middle stage behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) which is associated with degeneration of frontal and temporal lobes (Diehl-Schmid et al., 2016). Anna now she is experiencing a rapid decline in her cognitive abilities which happens in the bvFTD late stage (Diehl-Schmid et al., 2016). Other symptoms consist of social behaviour decline as shown by early disinhibition, apathy or inertia, empathy and sympathy loss, preservative or compulsive behaviour, dietary changes and hyperorality (Diehl-Schmid et al., 2016). Lisa her partner and children are worried about her rapid deterioration and wish to know about bvFTD advanced stage and require support. Also, Anna needs support who is pre-occupied about the dying process.

Frontotemporal Dementia describes a clinical syndrome associated with the shrinking of the frontal and temporal anterior lobes of the brain. A shorten way the say Frontotemporal Dementia is FTD. Another name for FTD is Pick’s disease. Usually the cause is unknown. No treatment has been shown to slow FTD. There is no cure for Frontotemporal Dementia. Early signs of FTD or apathy or unwillingness to talk, change in personality and mood, such as depression. FTD can not be prevented.

In FD, neuronal atrophy impinges the anterior, frontal and temporal brain lobes. Language difficulty and varied behaviour are common

These relate to the age at which the disease first manifests itself. The occasion of early-onset is much lower than that of late-onset. There is a 10% occurrence rate for persons over the age of sixty-five, and a 50% occurrence rate for those over age eighty five. Late-onset Alzheimer's is often confused with senility due to old-age. This also makes diagnosis difficult for older patients. However Alzheimer's is not an inevitable part of the aging process, unlike a certain amount of senility. It can be helped and with new research may be prevented.

Although some kinds of memory loss are very normal in the aging process, the changes that are caused by aging are not that extreme enough to conflict with it. A number of certain diseases and conditions can cause dementia. These conditions and diseases consist of Parkinson’s disease, strokes, brain tumors, blood clots and Multiple Sclerosis, but the most common disease to cause this is Alzheimer’s disease (Crystal, 2009).