Frontotemporal Dementia - NPch.20 Flashcards
General Info
What is Frontotemporal dementia?
Several types of dementia involving the progressive degeneration of the brain’s frontal and temporal lobes
What are the 4 main types of FTD?
- BV-FTD
- FTD-MND
- SD
- PNFA
On what do clinicians base their diagnosis?
Based in info from clinical interviews, clinical manifestations of a problem, and neuropsychological assessment
(neurological assessment and imaging can be supportive of a diagnosis but aren’t required)
What is the value of Neuropsychological Assessment?
- Helpful in early phases of behavioral and cognitive changes: monitor further deterioration and provides support in first years
- Neuropsychological findings are useful to find and train for compensatory strategies
- Many patients have fear of dementia -> Neuropsychological assessment and psycho-education provides relief
(Epidemiology)
What is some general info on the epidemiology of FTD?
(In general) 3rd most common cause of ‘cortical dementia’ behind Alzheimer’s an Lewy’s bodies
What is the prevalence of FTD?
- 15-22/100.000 for ages 45-65
- other studies: 9.4/100.000 for ages 60-69
What is the onset of FTD?
Usually before 65, with a peak between 50-60
- 10% of FTD patients are >70
- onset can also occur before 50
!!! The older the age of onset, the slower the rate of decline.
BUT, if somebody has high cognitive reserves, that person usually has a later onset, but a faster rate of decline as well !!!
What is the duration of FTD?
Average duration >8 years, with a range of 2-20 years
- shortest duration is FTF-MND, with 3 years
Is there any gender differences for FTD?
No
(Genetics)
What are the findings regarding FTD and family history?
in 40% of patients there’s a positive family history (at least one relative has dementia/ motor disorder)
What is the Autosomal dominance inheritance pattern?
How a single copy of a mutated gene on one of the non-sex chromosomes causes a genetic disorder.
Found in:
- 35% of BV-FTD cases
- 25% of FTD-MND cases
- 5% of SD cases
- 5% of PNFA cases
What role do genes play in FTD?
- MAPT, GRN and C90RF72 genes
- 10% of FTD cases: mutation in MAPT gene
- 7% of FTD cases: mutation in GRN gene
- 9% of FTD cases: mutation in C90RF72 gene
(Neuropathology)
What is our current knowledge on the neuropathology of FTD?
Knowledge on causes is very limited, apart from genetic deficits
How are some proteins associated with FTD?
3 specific proteins have been found that are associated with FTD
- Are found in Temporal, Frontal an Parietal Cortices
- Also found in Hippocampus, and especially basal ganglia
- Each specific protein has been shown to be associated with one of the aforementioned genetic mutations
What is the treatment for FTD?
Currently there is no curative treatment for FTD.
- Trazodone (serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitor) helps a bit with some symptoms:
~ irritability, agitation
~ depressive symptoms
- Current treatment entails good counselling for relatives and friends of patient
- Likely that protein-specific therapies will be developed in the near future
BV-FTD
What is Behavioral Variation - Frontotemporal dementia?
It is the most common manifestation of FTD. Characterized by:
- Changes in Personality
- Changes in Social cognition
- Impairments in Cognition
- Impairments in Language
What are the personality changes specific to BV-FTD?
- Decreased emotional involvement
- Emotional blunting
- Loss of empathy
- Apathy
- (Hyperactivity and restlessness)
What are the changes in Social Cognition?
- Personal neglect
- Act irresponsibly (due to inability to determine consequences of behavior)
- stereotypical/cliched behavior
- compulsive and inflexible behavior (stick to routines)
How does language gradually deteriorate in patients with BV-FTD?
1) Initially, language is fluent, maybe due to echolalia (repetition of speech immediately after hearing somebody say something) or perseverations (similar to echolalia)
2) Disease advances, patients speak less (economy of speech)
- Initiate conversation less often
- In advanced stages, answer only with yes or no
3) In the end, patients become mute