Understanding Bruce Willis’ dementia diagnosis

Nearly a year ago, 68-year-old actor Bruce Willis was diagnosed with a condition called aphasia. This disorder affected his ability to understand and express spoken or written language, making it difficult to communicate. Unfortunately, the actor’s family recently revealed that his condition has progressed and he has now been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia.

While you may be saddened to hear the news of Willis’ new diagnosis, if you’re like many people, you have never heard of frontotemporal dementia. Here are answers to some common questions about the condition.

What is frontotemporal dementia?

This type of dementia occurs when there is nerve cell loss in the brain’s frontal or temporal lobes, affecting functions controlled by this area of the brain. The condition commonly causes communication difficulties like aphasia, which is what Willis was originally diagnosed with. It can also affect a person’s behaviors, personality, emotions and judgment. Frontotemporal dementia may also affect motor skills, such as walking.

What causes frontotemporal dementia?

The nerve loss that occurs with frontotemporal dementia results from protein accumulations in the brain. This may happen due to genetics, but that’s not the only cause. Traumatic head injuries can also cause damage in this area of the brain, leading to the condition. It is not yet known if lifestyle factors contribute to frontotemporal dementia, although they may influence a person’s risk of developing other types of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease. In a large majority of cases, the cause of frontotemporal dementia is not known.

What are the differences between frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer’s?

Most people diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia are in their forties through sixties. Although people can be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in this age group, it is more commonly diagnosed at later ages, with the risk of developing the disease increasing with age. Frontotemporal dementia is more likely to initially affect language and behavior, while Alzheimer’s is more likely to initially cause memory loss. Over time, symptoms may overlap between the two conditions.

Why wasn’t Willis initially diagnosed with dementia when his communication difficulties started?

Aphasia isn’t always caused by dementia. By itself, it only affects a person’s ability to communicate but does not affect a person’s cognitive abilities or memory. Some people develop aphasia after having a stroke. It may also be caused by injuries or conditions affecting the area of the brain that controls language. Dementia is one of these conditions, but it is not the only one. At the time of Willis’ aphasia diagnosis, it wasn’t known that frontotemporal dementia was the cause.

Can frontotemporal dementia be cured?

There is no cure for this debilitating condition. Medications that may help slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease do not appear to help this form of dementia and may even worsen symptoms. Treatment is focused on helping to reduce the irritability, agitation and depression caused by symptoms, with the goal of improving a person’s quality of life. Medications may help reduce behavioral problems. Speech therapy may help a person learn alternate ways to communicate with others.

What should you do if you think you or a loved may be exhibiting signs of communication difficulty or memory loss?

Anytime you notice a significant change in your health or the health of a loved one, share your concerns with your primary care doctor so you can get any necessary tests or treatments started as soon as possible. Don’t have a primary care doctor? Establish with one of our Saint Agnes Care providers to get the expert care you need.

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