2024-02-29 21:06:00
2024-02-29 16:06 Compiled by Chen Yunhan/Comprehensive Report
Hollywood action star Bruce Willis and talk show host Wendy Williams have suffered from “Frontotemporal dementia (FTD)” one following another. What is this disease, why do they get sick, and the medical expenses How much does it cost per year?
Frontotemporal dementia is a rare disease that affects the brain that controls behavior and language. The injured part of the brain shrinks as symptoms worsen.
Frontotemporal dementia often occurs between the ages of 40 and early 60. It may affect the patient’s personality, causing them to be unable to take care of themselves or engage in inappropriate behavior. In the early stages of the disease, it may be misdiagnosed as depression or bipolar disorder, which can take several years. It takes time to make an accurate diagnosis.
“It’s really hard to diagnose,” explains Brenda Rapp, a cognitive neuroscientist at Johns Hopkins University. “Perhaps the patient is doing things that disturb others but doesn’t understand why they’re disturbing.” Others.” Ripp said this is troubling for patients and those involved.
People with frontotemporal dementia may have difficulty pronouncing words or understanding what others are saying because the disease often occurs with the language disorder “primary progressive aphasia.”
●Cause
Frontotemporal dementia is caused by damage to the brain’s message carriers, “neurons,” and people with a family history are more likely to develop the disease. However, most patients with frontotemporal dementia do not have a family history of dementia.
●Can it be treated?
There is currently no treatment for frontotemporal dementia, which can only treat symptoms, such as speech therapy to improve speech ability, or physical therapy to improve mobility.
Some patients take antidepressants or Parkinson’s medications, which have symptoms similar to those of frontotemporal dementia.
●Speed of disease progression
Fighting frontotemporal dementia is a long-term battle, lasting from two to ten years; as the disease worsens, patients often require care.
“This disease spreads within the brain, and the rate of progression is unpredictable and varies from person to person,” Ripp said.
Frontotemporal dementia is a rare disease that affects the brain that controls behavior and language. The injured part of the brain shrinks as symptoms worsen. (Associated Press)
The financial burden on families of dementia patients is huge, with the Alzheimer’s Association estimating the average annual cost is $10,000.
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