Bruce Willis has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, his family said. In a statement posted on social media, they said they “finally got a clear diagnosis – it’s a relief.”
The 67-year-old actor was diagnosed with aphasia – a condition that can affect a person’s speech – last March, but his diagnosis has now been updated to be more accurate. So hard The star stopped acting after the initial diagnosis.
His family said: “Bruce has always believed in using his voice in the world to help others and raise awareness about important public and personal issues.
“We know deep down that if he could today, he would want to respond by getting everyone’s attention and connecting with those who are also dealing with this debilitating disease and how it affects so many people and their families.”
What is frontotemporal dementia?
According to the NHS, frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a rare form of dementia that causes behavioral and speech problems.
Dementia is the name for mental problems caused by gradual changes and damage to the brain. It mostly affects people over the age of 65, but frontotemporal dementia usually starts at a younger age. In most cases, the disease is diagnosed in people between the ages of 45 and 65, although it can affect both young and old people.
Frontotemporal dementia affects the anterior and lateral parts of the brain (frontal and temporal lobes).
The Alzheimer’s Society explains: “The word frontotemporal refers to the two groups of lobes (frontal and temporal) in the brain that are damaged in this type of dementia. FTD occurs when a disease damages the nerve cells in these lobes.
“It breaks the connections between them and other parts of the brain. The concentration of chemical messengers in the brain also decreases over time. These messengers allow nerve cells to send signals to each other and to the rest of the body.”
Like other forms of dementia, frontotemporal dementia develops slowly and gradually worsens over several years.
What are the symptoms of frontotemporal dementia?
According to the NHS, signs of frontotemporal dementia may include:
- Personality and behavior changes acting inappropriately or impulsively, being selfish or callous, neglecting personal hygiene, overeating or losing motivation.
- language problems – speak slowly, have difficulty forming the correct sounds when pronouncing a word, put words in the wrong order, or use words incorrectly.
- problems with mental abilities – Easily distracted, difficulty planning and organizing.
- memory problems – they usually appear later, unlike more common forms of dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Physical problems may also occur, such as slow or stiff movements, loss of bladder or bowel control (usually later), muscle weakness, or difficulty swallowing.
These problems can make daily activities difficult and the person may eventually become unable to take care of themselves.
Source: I News
I’m Raymond Molina, a professional writer and journalist with over 5 years of experience in the media industry. I currently work for 24 News Reporters, where I write for the health section of their news website. In my role, I am responsible for researching and writing stories on current health trends and issues. My articles are often seen as thought-provoking pieces that provide valuable insight into the state of society’s wellbeing.