•  
  •  

Frontotemporal Dementia

Frontotemporal dementia is a group of diseases in which parts of the brain (the frontal and temporal lobes) shrink, or atrophy, causing changes in personality and behavior. People with frontotemporal dementia may display unusual behavior, such as a lack of caring and lack of inhibition.

In one type of frontotemporal dementia, called Pick's disease or Pick's complex, abnormal structures called Pick's bodies develop in brain cells. Pick's disease is rare but can run in families.

People with frontotemporal dementia may:

  • Not express any caring for others.
  • Not attend to personal hygiene.
  • Say rude things to others, expose themselves, or make sexually explicit comments, or exhibit other socially inappropriate behavior.
  • Be obsessed with repetitive routines or develop unusual food obsessions, such as eating the same kind of food or eating in the same restaurant repeatedly.
  • Have difficulty understanding words and naming objects.

Frontotemporal dementia cannot be reversed. Doctors may treat its associated behavioral problems with antidepressants and other medicines.

Last Revised: June 23, 2011

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine & Peter J. Whitehouse, MD - Neurology

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

To learn more visit Healthwise.org

© 1995-2012 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.