How Dementia Progresses

Frontotemporal Dementia: Early Symptoms Vary

In contrast to Alzheimer’s, people in the early stages of frontotemporal disorders (also called frontotemporal dementia) generally don’t have trouble with short-term memory. But depending on the type of frontotemporal issue, early symptoms may vary.

For the type of frontotemporal disorder that initially affects the part of the brain that controls behavior, people may behave rudely, appear oblivious to social norms, seem easily distracted, or appear uncharacteristically selfish or unfeeling.

For the less-common type of frontotemporal disorder that initially affects the part of the brain that controls language skills, the early stage includes trouble attaching names to things, comprehending words, or speaking fluently.

But as dementia becomes progressively worse, people who are experiencing behavior changes will begin having language difficulty, and vice versa.

As frontotemporal disorders progress, symptoms will begin to resemble those of Alzheimer’s, though agitation and aggression generally develop before short-term memory loss and other symptoms of later-stage Alzheimer’s, such as trouble judging distance and difficulty seeing objects in three dimensions.

Why Treatment Still Matters

While the progression and outcomes of dementia can be scary, treatment may be able to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life. Working with your healthcare providers and support system, you can develop the best plan for your type and stage of dementia.