Actor Bruce Willis Diagnosed with Frontotemporal Dementia Symptoms

The family of actor Bruce Willis stated his current health and mental condition. Last year, he was diagnosed with aphasia but is now diagnosed with developing frontotemporal dementia symptoms.

However, the recently diagnosed dementia symptoms were developed from an earlier discovery of aphasia in the spring of 2022. The actor was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (a type of mental disorder including aphasia).

This disease can generate various challenges and issues such as thinking, speaking, and writing issues. However, Bruce is experiencing just one symptom of the disease with communication issues.

Do You Know about Frontotemporal Dementia?

His family statement said this is more terrible but it is easy to ultimately have a final diagnosis. Last year, Bruce’s family said the actor is taking a break from his decades-long career amid his broken perception. Frontotemporal dementia is one of the various types of dementia and is also known as FTD.

However, it can cause nerve damage in the temporal and frontal areas. The Alzheimer’s Association said this often leads to a loss of functionalities in those affected parts. There are various kinds of frontotemporal dementia. Meanwhile, the behavioral version of frontotemporal dementia can generate issues such as nerve loss in the parts of the brain.

The Key Difference between Alzheimer’s and FTD

These areas generally control empathy, judgment, and execution. The initial progressive stage of aphasia corrupts specific brain areas controlling writing, speaking, thinking, and memorizing capabilities. The beginning of symptoms traditionally happens in people above age 60. However, FTD can also interrupt motor function and movement.

This issue is known as ALS (also classified as Lou Gehrig’s disease). The analysis of FTD leans to occur between a person in their mid-life of around the 40s and 60s. However, Alzheimer’s disease takes place at a later age or above 65. Alzheimer’s is also deeply connected to memory loss, vision, and other issues with dimensional positioning such as clearing off.

Diagnosis and Treatments

The modern analysis utilizes advanced imaging technology to diagnose FTD, such as MRIs. The outcomes are considered in duo with the symptoms and medical history of a patient. However, there isn’t any specific factor but at least 30% of people with frontotemporal downfall contract the disease. Fortunately, there are specific frontotemporal dementia treatments to help ease symptoms but the disease ultimately becomes critical with time.

NBC News also reported a much similar story linked to actor Bruce Willis. The outlet referred to a statement the actor’s family posted on social media. Willis was diagnosed with frontotemporal lobar degeneration which sparked the latest attention about the disease. The most important symptoms include fluctuation in behavior, communication, language, and lack of memory issues.

On Thursday, the family of Bruce including his ex-wife Demi Moore posted a statement. They said 67-years old Willis was diagnosed with aphasia in the month of March 2022. But it has now developed and progressed to frontotemporal dementia. FTD or frontotemporal dementia is described as a group of disorders initially affecting the temporal and frontal parts of the brain.

Two Sub-Diagnoses of Aphasia

This disease typically falls under the neurodegenerative as it gets more critical after passing time. Dr. Paul Barton Rosenberg said there are generally two sub-diagnoses. Rosenberg is a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the John Hopkins School of Medicine. He said one is a behavioral version as people can get fluctuation in their personalities.

Rosenberg also said these types of people often lost their social graces and inhibitions. The other is initial progressive aphasia as people experience issues finding words or problems presenting themselves. However, Willis’s family said that he experienced difficulties with communication. But this is just one symptom that Bruce had experienced. The family of the die-hard actor said this is more hurting but also a relief with finally having a clear diagnosis.

Symptoms & Reasons behind Frontotemporal Dementia

A build-up of proteins in the brain typically causes frontotemporal dementia. This disease is capable of critically shrinking and damaging the frontal and temporal parts of the brain. Meanwhile, these specific areas of the brain are dedicated to personality, language, and patient behavior. A neurologist at the Mayo Clinic in Florida, Dr. Gregg Day, issued a statement.

Gregg said the symptoms of a specific case of FTD can differ depending on the most affected parts. He said the disease with FTD symptoms can generate critical problems with listening, understanding, and interpreting instruction. But affected proteins develop in areas of the brain that control recognition and strange behavior. However, typical symptoms include acting out, insulting loved ones, and losing understanding, motivation, and recognition.

Other symptoms include interruptions in motor functions such as issues with vision, balance, and moving one side of the body. However, this type of dementia tends to be present in younger people, especially in their 50s and 60s. Most FTD symptoms are very hard to determine in patients. Behavioral is also difficult to split from psychiatric diseases.