Bruce Willis’ family shared an update on his health on Thursday. The actor’s condition had progressed further and diagnosed as frontotemporal dementia. Read to know more about the condition and treatments available.
What is frontotemporal dementia?
Frontotemporal dementia (AFD) is a group of brain disorders occurring due to the degeneration of the frontal lobes of the brain. This can also include or be due to the degeneration of the temporal lobes. As per the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD), these regions are associated with behavior, personality, and language.
However, it has several subtypes and differs greatly from Alzheimer’s. People diagnosed with AFD are typically younger, between their 40s to 60s. “FTD has a substantially greater impact on work, family, and finances than Alzheimer’s,” stated AFTD. According to the organization, about 50,000 to 60,000 people are diagnosed with the condition in the US. Moreover, it is usually misdiagnosed as Parkinson’s, depression, Alzheimer’s, or other psychiatric conditions.
Update on Bruce Wills’ condition
In March 2022, the Wills family first revealed that he will be stepping away from acting to focus on his health. “Since we announced Bruce’s diagnosis of aphasia in spring 2022, Bruce’s condition has progressed and we now have a more specific diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia,” stated Wills’ family on Thursday. “Unfortunately, challenges with communication are just one symptom of the disease Bruce faces. While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis,” they added.
The exact reason for frontotemporal dementia is currently unknown. However several experts believe it is due to specific genetic mutations. “Some people with FTD have tiny structures, called Pick bodies, in their brain cells. Pick bodies contain an abnormal amount or type of protein,” revealed a study by Johns Hopkins Medicine. Other popular theories link trauma and instances of dementia in the family.
