Frontotemporal Dementia: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Frontotemporal Dementia?
A neurologist (a doctor who treats brain and nerve conditions) usually leads care for frontotemporal dementia. A team of specialists, including nurses and therapists, can guide treatment. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is frontotemporal dementia?
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a rare form of dementia, a loss of thinking skills that affects daily life. It starts when nerve cells die, mainly in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. These areas shrink over time.
FTD is progressive, which means symptoms get worse over time. At first, the parts of the brain that control short-term memory are not affected.
Symptoms
Doctors group frontotemporal disorders into three types, based on the earliest symptoms.
Behavioral variant FTD (bvFTD) is the most common type. It changes personality, behavior, and judgment. Signs can include:
- Acting on impulse or saying and doing things that are not appropriate.
- Losing interest in family or in activities the person used to care about.
- Trouble reading social signals and seeming to lack empathy.
Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is the second type. It changes the ability to use language to speak, read, write, and understand others. A person may eventually become unable to speak.
The third type affects movement. Two rare movement disorders linked to FTD are corticobasal syndrome and progressive supranuclear palsy. Some people also have the muscle weakness seen in ALS, a disease that weakens the muscles over time.
People with these disorders cannot control their behaviors and other symptoms. Before diagnosis, they may not know they are ill.
Causes and who gets it
In most cases, the cause of FTD is unknown. Brain changes include loss of nerve cells and abnormal tau and TDP-43 proteins.
An estimated one-third of FTD cases are inherited, which means a changed gene is passed from parent to child. People with a family history of the disease are more likely to develop FTD.
FTD is rare and tends to start at a younger age than other forms of dementia. Roughly 60% of people with FTD are 45 to 64 years old.
How doctors diagnose it
FTD can be hard to diagnose because the symptoms look like those of other conditions. For example, bvFTD is sometimes mistaken for a mood disorder, such as depression.
A doctor may do an exam and ask about symptoms. The doctor may review personal and family health history. Lab tests can help rule out other causes.
Other steps may include tests of behavior, memory, thinking, language skills, and physical function. Genetic testing may be ordered.
An MRI scan uses magnets and radio waves to take pictures of the brain. It shows changes in the size and shape of the brain. In the early stage of disease, the MRI may appear normal. A PET scan, which shows brain activity, may also help.
Treatment
There is currently no cure for FTD. No treatment can slow or stop it, but symptoms can be managed.
Medicines are available to treat certain behavior symptoms. A type of antidepressant (SSRIs) is commonly prescribed for impulsive behavior and loss of social restraint. Always talk with a doctor before changing, adding, or stopping a drug or supplement.
PPA treatment has two goals: keeping language skills and finding other ways to communicate. A speech-language pathologist, a therapist for speech problems, can help if they know PPA. Medicines and physical or occupational therapy may modestly ease movement symptoms.
Caregivers may have to take on new responsibilities or arrange care that was not needed before. Over time, a person may need 24-hour care at home or in a special facility. A support group can help ease the stress of FTD.
There is no known way to prevent FTD.
When to see a doctor
Contact your provider or go to the emergency room if mental function gets worse.
In an emergency, call 911. Call 911 or go to the emergency room for trouble breathing, choking, or fainting or loss of consciousness.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. A direct primary care doctor can do a first evaluation, review a person's history and symptoms, and refer you to a neurologist. They can also help coordinate care and follow up over time.
Common questions
Is frontotemporal dementia the same as Alzheimer disease?
No, they are different conditions, although they can look alike. Early personality changes can help doctors tell FTD apart from Alzheimer disease. Memory loss is often the main and earliest symptom of Alzheimer disease.
Is frontotemporal dementia inherited?
Sometimes. An estimated one-third of FTD cases are inherited. These genetic changes can often be found through genetic testing.
Can frontotemporal dementia be cured or slowed?
No, there is currently no cure and no treatment to slow or stop it. Symptoms can be managed with medicines, therapy, and support.
How long can someone live with frontotemporal dementia?
It differs a lot from person to person. Some people live more than 10 years after diagnosis, while others live less than two years.
Sources
- NINDS - Frontotemporal Dementia and Other Frontotemporal Disorders
- NIA - Frontotemporal Disorders: Causes, Symptoms, and Diagnosis
- MedlinePlus - Frontotemporal dementia
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
