Dubai, United Arab Emirates (CNN) – After retiring from acting in March 2022 due to a disorder that affects his ability to speak, called aphasia, American actor Bruce Willis, 67, was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, according to what he said. His family announced Thursday.
“Since we announced Bruce’s diagnosis of aphasia in the spring of 2022, his condition has worsened,” the Willis family said in a statement.
“Unfortunately, communication challenges are only a symptom of the illness Bruce is facing. While it’s painful, it’s a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis.”
Frontotemporal dementia is a group of disorders caused by the buildup of tau and other proteins that damage cells in the frontal (behind the forehead) and temporal (behind the ear) lobes of the brain.
Symptoms of frontotemporal dementia most often start between the ages of 45 and 64, according to Alzheimer’s Research UK.
According to the statement from the Frontotemporal Degeneration Society, “frontotemporal dementia, which is the most common dementia in people under the age of 60, can cause communication challenges, as well as changes in behavior, personality, or the movement”.
People with frontotemporal dementia usually live between six and eight years with the condition, according to the US National Institute on Aging.
Between 10 and 30% of cases of frontotemporal dementia are hereditary.
Other than genetics, there are no other known risk factors, although researchers are studying the role that the thyroid gland and insulin may play in the onset of the disease.
What are the types of frontotemporal dementia?
Because his symptoms begin with experiencing difficulty speaking, Bruce Willis has been diagnosed with a subtype of frontotemporal dementia called primary progressive aphasia, according to Henry Paulson, professor of neurology and director of the Michigan Alzheimer’s Center at the University of Michigan.
Paulson explained that aphasia means problems with language, and that can range from difficulty finding words, to not understanding other people’s conversation. It can be caused by a brain tumor, stroke, or an advanced neurodegenerative condition.”
He added: “As his diagnosis is frontotemporal dementia, it is clear that Mr. Willis has a progressive neurodegenerative disease compared with a stroke, tumor or some other lesion in the brain.”
There are two other types of frontotemporal dementia:
The first, behaviorally variable frontotemporal dementia, is characterized by changes in executive function, thinking and planning.
The second, affecting motor neurons, can manifest itself through difficulty swallowing, muscle spasms or spasms, and difficulty using the hands or arms, such as difficulty closing buttons or operating small devices.
What are the symptoms of frontotemporal dementia?
At first, it can be difficult to know what type of frontotemporal dementia a person has, as symptoms and the order in which they appear may differ from person to person, and depend on which parts of the frontal or temporal lobe are affected.
With behavioral variable frontotemporal dementia, people rarely have memory problems. Instead, they struggle to plan and organize their thoughts, and have difficulty setting priorities, according to the National Institute on Aging.
Patients may repeat the same movements or words over and over, become disinterested in life, and act impulsively, by saying words or doing inappropriate behavior that others may find embarrassing.
In primary progressive aphasia, the person may have difficulty speaking or understanding words. Over time, he may fail to recognize familiar faces and objects.
“Primary progressive aphasia may begin with difficulty finding words, so patients replace it with a simpler word or a more generic word to name things they can’t quite remember,” Paulson said.
How is frontotemporal dementia diagnosed?
To diagnose frontotemporal dementia disorders, a neurologist will perform a careful physical examination, combined with a psychological test designed to assess cognitive skills, Paulson said.
“An MRI of the brain can tell us if certain parts of the brain are shrinking or showing signs of atrophy,” Paulson said.
“We do some blood tests to make sure we don’t miss some treatable causes of cognitive impairment, like thyroid disease, or vitamin B12 deficiency as well.”
How is frontotemporal dementia treated?
Unlike Alzheimer’s disease, there are no current treatments to slow the progression of frontotemporal dementia. Doctors can try to improve a patient’s quality of life by prescribing medications that reduce agitation, irritability, or depression.
A speech-language pathologist can help determine the best strategies and tools for a frontotemporal dementia patient with declining language skills. Physical therapy, under the guidance of a doctor who specializes in these disorders, may help treat movement disorders.
It’s important for people with progressive dementia syndromes, such as frontotemporal dementia, to continue to eat well, exercise regularly, and stay connected to others, says Paulson, noting activities that help the brain function as best it can.
He added that as the disease progresses, patients can continue to live active lives and cope with their symptoms in inspiring ways.
