Actor Bruce Willis has been diagnosed with FTD (frontotemporal dementia), a brain

disorder that primarily affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, according to a
statement released by his family on Instagram. The diagnosis comes nearly a year after
Willis’ family confirmed that the actor was stepping away from acting due to an aphasia
diagnosis. The family stated that since the initial announcement, Willis’ condition has
progressed, leading to a more specific diagnosis of FTD.

FTD is a cruel disease that can strike anyone and is the most common form of dementia
for people under 60. Getting a diagnosis can take years, and currently, there are no
treatments available for the disease. The symptoms of FTD include challenges with
communication, changes in behavior and personality, loss of judgment and empathy,
and a decline in personal hygiene.

FTD results from a buildup of proteins in the brain that damage and shrink the frontal
and temporal lobes, causing clusters of symptoms that tend to occur together. Some
subtypes of FTD lead to language problems, such as primary progressive aphasia,
semantic dementia, and progressive agrammatic aphasia. Other rarer subtypes are
characterized by problems with movement similar to those associated with Parkinson's
disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

There are genetic mutations that have been linked to FTD, but more than half of the
people who develop the disease have no family history of dementia. Researchers have
also confirmed shared genetics and molecular pathways between FTD and ALS, but
more research needs to be done to understand the connection between these
conditions.

Willis’ family expressed their gratitude for the outpouring of love and support they have
received since announcing his diagnosis and hoped that media attention could be
focused on raising awareness and research for the disease. They emphasized that FTD is
a cruel disease that needs far more awareness and research and hoped that any
attention could help shine a light on it.
 What are the symptoms of FTD

Symptoms of FTD can vary widely from person to person and may progress over several
years. There are three main clusters of symptoms that tend to occur together:

1. Behavioral changes: The most common symptoms of FTD involve changes in behavior
and personality. These may include increasingly inappropriate social behavior, loss of
empathy and other interpersonal skills, lack of judgment, loss of inhibition, apathy,
repetitive compulsive behavior, decline in personal hygiene, changes in eating habits,
and compulsively wanting to put things in the mouth.
2. Speech and language problems: Some subtypes of FTD lead to language problems, such
as difficulty in using and understanding written and spoken language, trouble naming
things, no longer knowing word meanings, hesitant speech, and making mistakes in
sentence construction.
3. Motor disorders: Rarer subtypes of FTD are characterized by problems with movement,
such as tremor, rigidity, muscle spasms or twitches, poor coordination, difficulty
swallowing, muscle weakness, inappropriate laughing or crying, and falls or walking
problems.

Causes of FTD:

Causes of FTD are not yet fully understood. However, researchers have identified genetic
mutations that have been linked to FTD. Shared genetics and molecular pathways
between FTD and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have also been confirmed,
suggesting a possible connection between these conditions.

Risk and Precautions:

Risk factors for FTD are primarily linked to family history, with individuals who have a
family history of dementia being at higher risk.

It is important to seek medical attention if you or a loved one is experiencing any of the
symptoms associated with FTD. Early diagnosis and treatment can help manage
symptoms and improve quality of life.