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What are frontotemporal disorders?

On Behalf of | Aug 7, 2019 | Brain Injury

When the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain are damaged, dementia-like symptoms usually occur. This is known as a frontotemporal disorders, which can have a drastic impact on a person’s life and abilities. If you or someone you love experienced a brain injury in these areas of the brain, understanding the subsequent effects is crucial to get the proper medical assistance. 

While Alzheimer’s and other dementia disorders are most common in the elderly, frontotemporal disorders most often impact people between the ages of 45 and 64. Symptoms include problems communicating, difficulty managing emotions, problems with movement, strange behavior, and an inability to hold gainful employment. As a result, a person with this disorder may no longer be able to drive or care for himself properly. In this case, the individual might require in-home care or need to be placed in a nursing facility so that his needs are sufficiently met.

As a progressive disorder, symptoms will only grow worse over time. Symptoms may be minor at the first onset but will eventually become more serious as the disorder develops. This development usually spans about a ten year period, although all patients have a different journey. There is no cure currently, but medication and other therapies are available that can slow how quickly symptoms progress. 

Damage to the brain changes the way it functions. This is especially true when it comes to the temporal and frontal lobes, which are integral to direct executive functioning. A person with damage to this area of the brain might make risky decisions, or be unable to understand nonverbal cues from other people. She may also have issues with planning and problem-solving, as well as experience issues with reading and writing.