Frontotemporal Dementia: Causes, Symptoms, and What You Can Do

When someone starts acting strangely—losing empathy, making poor choices, or suddenly struggling to speak—they might not have Alzheimer’s. It could be frontotemporal dementia, a group of brain disorders caused by progressive damage to the frontal and temporal lobes. Also known as FTD, it’s the most common form of dementia in people under 60, yet it’s rarely talked about. Unlike Alzheimer’s, where memory loss comes first, frontotemporal dementia hits personality, judgment, and language early. People with this condition may become impulsive, rude, or emotionally flat—not because they’re being difficult, but because parts of their brain that control behavior and speech are breaking down.

This isn’t one disease. It’s three main types: behavioral variant FTD, the most common form, where changes in personality and social behavior show up first; primary progressive aphasia, where language skills fade slowly, making it hard to find words or understand speech; and a rarer form tied to movement problems similar to Parkinson’s. Behind these symptoms are two faulty proteins—tau protein, a structural protein that clumps abnormally in some FTD cases, and TDP-43 protein, another misfolded protein found in most other cases. These aren’t just lab terms—they’re the real culprits killing brain cells in specific areas.

There’s no cure yet, but knowing the type helps families plan. Speech therapy can help with language loss. Behavioral strategies can manage impulsivity. Medications for depression or anxiety might ease secondary symptoms. And while no drug stops FTD, research is moving fast—especially in genetic testing, since about 30% of cases run in families. If you’ve noticed a loved one changing in ways that don’t fit typical aging, it’s not just "getting old." It could be frontotemporal dementia. The posts below cover real-world experiences, diagnostic clues, drug trials, caregiver tips, and what’s new in research—all to help you understand what’s happening and what comes next.