Discover the surprising differences between frontotemporal dementia and Lewy body dementia in our latest Memory Care Tips blog post.
| Step | Action | Novel Insight | Risk Factors |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Observe behavioral changes | Frontotemporal dementia affects the frontal lobe, causing changes in behavior and personality, while Lewy body dementia affects the temporal lobe, causing visual hallucinations and Parkinson’s-like movement issues. | Age, genetics, family history, head injury, and chronic stress. |
| 2 | Identify cognitive decline symptoms | Both types of dementia cause cognitive decline, but frontotemporal dementia may cause memory loss, while Lewy body dementia may cause visual hallucinations. | Age, genetics, family history, head injury, and chronic stress. |
| 3 | Determine which lobe is affected | Frontotemporal dementia affects the frontal lobe, while Lewy body dementia affects the temporal lobe. | Age, genetics, family history, head injury, and chronic stress. |
| 4 | Look for protein deposits | Both types of dementia have protein deposits present in the brain, but Lewy body dementia has a specific type of protein deposit called alpha-synuclein. | Age, genetics, family history, head injury, and chronic stress. |
| 5 | Address visual hallucinations | Visual hallucinations are common in Lewy body dementia, and can be distressing for both the patient and caregiver. | Age, genetics, family history, head injury, and chronic stress. |
| 6 | Manage Parkinson’s-like movement issues | Lewy body dementia can cause movement issues similar to Parkinson’s disease, which can be challenging to manage. | Age, genetics, family history, head injury, and chronic stress. |
| 7 | Address memory loss | Frontotemporal dementia may cause memory loss, which can be distressing for both the patient and caregiver. | Age, genetics, family history, head injury, and chronic stress. |
| 8 | Prepare for caregiving challenges | Both types of dementia can present unique caregiving challenges, and it’s important to be prepared for these challenges. | Age, genetics, family history, head injury, and chronic stress. |
Contents
- What are the Behavioral Changes Observed in Frontotemporal Dementia and Lewy Body Dementia?
- What Happens When the Frontal Lobe is Affected by Frontotemporal Dementia or Lewy Body Dementia?
- Are Protein Deposits Present in Both Frontotemporal Dementia and Lewy Body Dementia?
- What Parkinson’s-like Movement Issues Can Occur in Patients with Either Type of Dementia?
- What Caregiving Challenges Should You Expect When Caring for Someone With Frontotemporal Dementia vs Lewy Body Dementia?
- Common Mistakes And Misconceptions
- Related Resources
What are the Behavioral Changes Observed in Frontotemporal Dementia and Lewy Body Dementia?
| Step | Action | Novel Insight | Risk Factors |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frontotemporal dementia | Frontotemporal dementia is a type of dementia that affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, which are responsible for personality, behavior, and language. | Age, genetics, and family history. |
| 2 | Behavioral Changes in Frontotemporal Dementia | Emotional instability, social withdrawal, impulsivity and disinhibition, apathy and indifference, agitation and aggression, loss of empathy, inappropriate sexual behavior, repetitive behaviors, and lack of insight. | None mentioned. |
| 3 | Lewy body dementia | Lewy body dementia is a type of dementia that is caused by abnormal protein deposits in the brain, which can lead to problems with thinking, movement, behavior, and mood. | Age, genetics, and family history. |
| 4 | Behavioral Changes in Lewy Body Dementia | Cognitive decline, motor symptoms, visual-spatial difficulties, sleep disturbances, delusions and hallucinations, and agitation and aggression. | None mentioned. |
What Happens When the Frontal Lobe is Affected by Frontotemporal Dementia or Lewy Body Dementia?
| Step | Action | Novel Insight | Risk Factors |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frontal lobe is responsible for executive functions such as decision-making, inhibition, and social behavior. | The frontal lobe is one of the first areas affected by Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) and Lewy Body Dementia. | Age is the biggest risk factor for both FTD and Lewy Body Dementia. |
| 2 | In FTD, the behavioral disturbances are the most prominent symptoms, including disinhibition, apathy, and emotional blunting. | Behavioral disturbances in FTD are often mistaken for psychiatric disorders. | FTD is more common in people under the age of 65. |
| 3 | In Lewy Body Dementia, motor symptoms such as tremors and rigidity are more common, but cognitive decline and behavioral changes are also present. | Lewy Body Dementia is often misdiagnosed as Parkinson’s disease or Alzheimer’s disease. | Lewy Body Dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease. |
| 4 | Disinhibited eating is a common symptom in FTD, where patients may eat excessively or crave sugary foods. | Disinhibited eating can lead to weight gain and other health problems. | FTD is more common in people with a family history of the disease. |
| 5 | In FTD, social disinhibition can lead to inappropriate behavior in public, such as making inappropriate comments or gestures. | Social disinhibition can lead to social isolation and relationship problems. | Lewy Body Dementia is more common in men than women. |
| 6 | In both FTD and Lewy Body Dementia, impaired decision-making can lead to financial problems and poor judgment. | Impaired decision-making can also lead to unsafe behaviors, such as driving or wandering. | There is no known cure for either FTD or Lewy Body Dementia. |
| 7 | Pick’s disease is a type of FTD that specifically affects the frontal and temporal lobes, leading to language problems and personality changes. | Pick’s disease is a rare form of FTD, accounting for less than 5% of cases. | There are no specific risk factors for Pick’s disease. |
| 8 | Progressive supranuclear palsy is a type of Lewy Body Dementia that affects movement and balance, leading to falls and difficulty with eye movements. | Progressive supranuclear palsy is a rare form of Lewy Body Dementia, accounting for less than 5% of cases. | There are no specific risk factors for Progressive supranuclear palsy. |
Are Protein Deposits Present in Both Frontotemporal Dementia and Lewy Body Dementia?
| Step | Action | Novel Insight | Risk Factors |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Understand the two types of dementia: Frontotemporal dementia and Lewy body dementia. | Both types of dementia are neurodegenerative diseases that cause cognitive decline. | Age, genetics, and family history are risk factors for developing dementia. |
| 2 | Understand the role of proteins in dementia. | Misfolded proteins, such as tau protein and alpha-synuclein protein, can aggregate in brain tissue and contribute to the development of neurological disorders. | Environmental factors, such as head injuries, may increase the risk of protein aggregation in the brain. |
| 3 | Understand the differences between Frontotemporal dementia and Lewy body dementia. | Frontotemporal dementia is characterized by damage to the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, while Lewy body dementia is characterized by the formation of Lewy bodies in the brain. | Both types of dementia may present with motor symptoms and behavioral changes, but memory loss is more commonly associated with Frontotemporal dementia. |
| 4 | Determine if protein deposits are present in both types of dementia. | Yes, protein deposits are present in both Frontotemporal dementia and Lewy body dementia. | The presence of protein deposits in the brain is not unique to these two types of dementia and can also be found in other neurological disorders. |
| 5 | Understand the implications of protein deposits in dementia. | Protein deposits can contribute to the development and progression of dementia by causing damage to brain tissue and disrupting normal brain function. | Early detection and treatment of protein aggregation may help slow the progression of dementia. |
What Parkinson’s-like Movement Issues Can Occur in Patients with Either Type of Dementia?
| Step | Action | Novel Insight | Risk Factors |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tremors | Patients with either type of dementia may experience tremors, which are involuntary shaking movements. | Age, genetics, and environmental factors may increase the risk of developing tremors. |
| 2 | Akinesia | Akinesia, or difficulty initiating movement, can also occur in patients with either type of dementia. | Parkinson’s disease is a known risk factor for developing akinesia. |
| 3 | Bradykinesia | Bradykinesia, or slow movement, is another Parkinson’s-like movement issue that can occur in patients with either type of dementia. | Age and genetics may increase the risk of developing bradykinesia. |
| 4 | Gait disturbances | Patients with either type of dementia may experience gait disturbances, such as shuffling or unsteady walking. | Previous falls, muscle weakness, and medication side effects may increase the risk of gait disturbances. |
| 5 | Postural instability | Postural instability, or difficulty maintaining balance, can also occur in patients with either type of dementia. | Age, previous falls, and medication side effects may increase the risk of postural instability. |
| 6 | Freezing of gait | Freezing of gait, or sudden inability to move, can occur in patients with either type of dementia. | Parkinson’s disease and previous falls may increase the risk of freezing of gait. |
| 7 | Dystonia | Dystonia, or involuntary muscle contractions, can also occur in patients with either type of dementia. | Genetics and medication side effects may increase the risk of dystonia. |
| 8 | Chorea | Chorea, or jerky movements, can occur in patients with either type of dementia. | Huntington’s disease is a known risk factor for developing chorea. |
| 9 | Myoclonus | Myoclonus, or sudden muscle jerks, can also occur in patients with either type of dementia. | Genetics and medication side effects may increase the risk of myoclonus. |
| 10 | Apraxia | Apraxia, or difficulty performing purposeful movements, can occur in patients with either type of dementia. | Stroke and traumatic brain injury may increase the risk of apraxia. |
| 11 | Agnosia | Agnosia, or difficulty recognizing objects or people, can also occur in patients with either type of dementia. | Alzheimer’s disease is a known risk factor for developing agnosia. |
| 12 | Aphasia | Aphasia, or difficulty with language, can occur in patients with either type of dementia. | Stroke and traumatic brain injury may increase the risk of aphasia. |
| 13 | Dysarthria | Dysarthria, or difficulty with speech, can also occur in patients with either type of dementia. | Stroke and traumatic brain injury may increase the risk of dysarthria. |
| 14 | Executive dysfunction | Executive dysfunction, or difficulty with planning and decision-making, can occur in patients with either type of dementia. | Age and genetics may increase the risk of executive dysfunction. |
What Caregiving Challenges Should You Expect When Caring for Someone With Frontotemporal Dementia vs Lewy Body Dementia?
| Step | Action | Novel Insight | Risk Factors |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Understand the differences between Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) and Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) | FTD is characterized by personality changes, emotional instability, and language problems, while LBD is characterized by visual hallucinations, motor function impairment, and sleep disturbances | Caregivers may mistake symptoms of FTD or LBD for normal aging or other conditions, delaying diagnosis and treatment |
| 2 | Prepare for cognitive decline | Both FTD and LBD cause cognitive decline, but FTD may progress more rapidly | Caregivers may need to adjust expectations and provide more assistance with daily tasks |
| 3 | Manage neuropsychiatric symptoms | FTD may cause physical aggression and social withdrawal, while LBD may cause hallucinations and delusions | Caregivers may need to work with healthcare professionals to find appropriate medications and behavioral interventions |
| 4 | Address mobility and incontinence issues | LBD may cause mobility issues and incontinence, while FTD may cause speech problems and weight loss | Caregivers may need to provide physical support and assist with hygiene and nutrition |
| 5 | Consider treatment options | There are currently no treatments that can cure FTD or LBD, but medications and therapies may help manage symptoms | Caregivers may need to advocate for their loved one to receive appropriate care and support |
| 6 | Seek support for yourself | Caregiving for someone with FTD or LBD can be emotionally and physically taxing | Caregivers may need to seek out support groups, respite care, and other resources to maintain their own well-being |
Common Mistakes And Misconceptions
| Mistake/Misconception | Correct Viewpoint |
|---|---|
| Frontotemporal dementia and Lewy body dementia are the same thing. | Frontotemporal dementia and Lewy body dementia are two distinct types of dementia with different symptoms, causes, and treatments. While both can cause cognitive decline, they affect different parts of the brain and have unique features that set them apart from each other. |
| Memory loss is the primary symptom of both frontotemporal dementia and Lewy body dementia. | While memory loss is a common symptom in many types of dementia, it may not be the primary symptom in frontotemporal or Lewy body dementias. In frontotemporal dementia, changes in behavior, personality, language skills, or motor function may be more prominent than memory problems early on. In Lewy body dementia, visual hallucinations or movement disorders such as tremors or stiffness may occur before significant memory impairment develops. |
| There is no effective treatment for either frontotemporal or Lewy body dementias. | Although there is no cure for these conditions yet, there are medications that can help manage some of their symptoms such as agitation, depression/anxiety (in FTD), sleep disturbances (in LBD), etc., depending on individual needs and tolerances. Non-pharmacological interventions like exercise programs or music therapy may also improve quality of life for people with these dementias by reducing stress levels or enhancing social engagement. |
| People with frontotemporal or Lewy body dementias cannot live independently once diagnosed. | Depending on how advanced their condition is at diagnosis stage , people with FTD/LBD might still be able to perform daily activities without assistance initially but will eventually need support from caregivers as their disease progresses over time . However , this does not mean they cannot enjoy meaningful relationships/activities nor participate in decision-making about their care. With proper care and support, people with FTD/LBD can still have a good quality of life for many years. |
| Frontotemporal dementia and Lewy body dementia only affect older adults. | While these dementias are more common in older adults, they can also occur in younger individuals (in their 40s or 50s) due to genetic mutations or other factors that cause brain damage . Early-onset forms of FTD/LBD may present different symptoms than late-onset ones but both types share similar underlying pathology. |