What is the life expectancy of someone with frontotemporal dementia?

Duration and Treatment The length of FTD varies, with some patients declining rapidly over two to three years, and others showing only minimal changes over a decade. Studies have shown persons with FTD to live with the disease an average of eight years, with a range from three years to 17 years.

Does fronto temporal dementia typically affects younger people than Alzheimer’s disease?

Frontotemporal dementia can be misdiagnosed as a psychiatric problem or as Alzheimer’s disease. But frontotemporal dementia tends to occur at a younger age than does Alzheimer’s disease. Frontotemporal dementia often begins between the ages of 40 and 65 but occurs later in life as well.

Can frontotemporal dementia turn into Alzheimer’s?

The later stages of all types of FTD bring a greater range of symptoms as the disease spreads to other areas of the brain. Any symptoms the person already has will also get worse. As a result, symptoms become similar to the later stages of other types of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Can you reverse atrophy of the brain?

It’s not possible to reverse brain atrophy after it has occurred. However, preventing brain damage, especially by preventing a stroke, may reduce the amount of atrophy that you develop over time. Some researchers suggest that healthy lifestyle strategies could minimize the atrophy that’s normally associated with aging.

How is frontotemporal dementia similar to Alzheimer’s?

Behavior changes are also common as Alzheimer’s progresses, but they tend to occur later in the disease. Problems with spatial orientation — for example, getting lost in familiar places — are more common in Alzheimer’s than in FTD.

Can frontal lobe dementia be misdiagnosed?

FTD may be misdiagnosed as other psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, or obsessive-compulsive disorder. The bvFTD variant is most likely to be misdiagnosed as another psychiatric disorder; FTD may be misdiagnosed as AD or another type of dementia.