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Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)
effects primarily the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain and has a more rapid progression than the other subtypes of dementia [6]
neuropathology shows marked lobar atrophy of the frontal and temporal lobes as shown here [6]
Dr. John Woulfe, Department of Neuropathology, University of Ottawa
Pick’s Disease is one type of FTD; the cerebral cortex has ballooned cells called Pick cells with intraneuronal inclusions called Pick bodies [6]
symptoms show behavioural changes such as as loss of social awareness, disinhibition and other frontal release signs such as the grasp sign on physical exam
cause is still unknown, however there is a strong genetic component as FTD tends to run in families and approximately 40% of cases are believed to be hereditary [2]
more information can be obtained from the Pick’s Disease Support Group
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2. Alzheimer Society of Canada. Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (http://www.alzheimer.ca/english/disease/dementias-intro.htm)
6. Tolnay M, Probst A. Frontotemporal lobar degeneration. An update on clinical, pathological and genetic findings. Gerontology, 2001; 47(1)1-8.
