Frontotemporal Dementia

(Pick’s Disease)

Max Totzke
Description

• Pick’s disease is a syndrome featuring

shrinking of the frontal and
temporal anterior lobes of the brain.
• The symptoms of frontotemporal
dementia fall into two clinical
patterns that involve either changes
in behavior, or problems with
language.
• Basically the front of your brain that
holds your memories stops working.
• Abnormal clumps of tau proteins
called Pick bodies "derail" your
transport system
Symptoms

• Memory loss
• Forget names
• Lose basic conversation skills
• Problems sleeping
• Mood changes
• Compulsive inappropriate behavior
• Depression
• Poor social skills
• Repetitive behavior
Causes

• Inherited
• Runs in families
• Affects more men than women
• Diagnosed between the ages of 40 and
75, but can happen as young as 20
• It is impossible to prevent it because it
is inherited
• 50,000 to 60,000 people in the U.S.
have Pick’s Disease
Diagnosis

• Tests to check memory, behavior and

language
• Blood tests to look at DNA for Pick’s
gene
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
to scan your brain
• Single-photon emission computed
tomography (SPECT) or a positron
emission tomography (PET) scan to
determine brain activity
• Brain biopsy
Treatment

• There is only medication you can

take to minimize symptoms

• You are only expected to live 2-10

years after being diagnosed

• Symptoms vary for each person but

they do appear rapidly and are
almost impossible to prevent

• If you think you are going to get it

there are ways to try and prevent
symptoms. 
Discovery

• Arnold Pick (1851-1924)

• Jewish Czech Psychiatrist

• Identified the clinical syndrome of

Pick’s Disease on 1891

• Headed the Prague

Neuropathological School
Why Pick’s Disease ?
• Maternal grandfather died from Pick’s
Disease in 2011 at age 73

• Great Grandmother (his mother)

potentially had Pick’s Disease (never
diagnosed)

• Contracted in mid 50’s – he far outlived

2-10 year life expectancy

• Symptoms included compulsive

inappropriate behavior, poor social skills,
repetitive behavior and memory loss
Do Not Confuse With

• Alzheimer's Disease is another form of dementia,

however:
o it is not the same
o it attacks a different part of the brain
o symptoms are different

• Niemann-Pick Disease shares the name Pick,

however:
o there is no relationship
o it involves sever metabolic disorders
 Some More Facts

• 50,000 to 60,000 people in the U.S. have Pick’s

Disease

• It affects more men than women

• Some patients may eventually require 24 hour care

• Research is being performed by The National

Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
(NINDS)

• People who are Scandinavian are at a slightly

higher risk than anyone else to get the disease.
 References

“Frontotemporal Dementia Information Page.” National Institute of Neurological Disorders and

Stroke, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-
Disorders/Frontotemporal-Dementia-Information-Page.

“Pick's Disease.” Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services, rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/7392/picks-disease.

“Pick Disease of the Brain: Causes, Symptoms, and Diagnosis.” Healthline, Healthline Media,
www.healthline.com/health/picks-disease.

“Pick Disease: Read About Symptoms and Treatment.” MedicineNet,

www.medicinenet.com/pick_disease/article.htm.