by Blockbuster action film star Bruce Willis retired from acting in spring 2022 following his career diagnosed aphasia, a neurological disorder that affects the ability to produce and understand words. Now Willis’ condition has improved and he has received a new diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia from his family announced (opens in new tab) Thursday (February 16).
“Unfortunately, communication difficulties are just a symptom of the illness Bruce is facing,” the statement said. “While it’s painful, it’s a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis.”
The prevalence of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is somewhat uncertain because in the past doctors sometimes misdiagnosed the condition as depression, schizophrenia, or Alzheimer’s diseaseaccordingly University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Health. (opens in new tab). Current estimates suggest that FTD is the most common form of dementia diagnosed in people aged 60 and younger, although the condition can also affect older people. (Bruce Willis is 67 years old.)
FTD actually describes a group of related conditions, all of which arise from the deterioration of cells in the brain’s frontal lobe, which is located behind the forehead, and the temporal lobes, which are located on either side of the head near the ears National Institute on Aging (opens in new tab) (NIA). These conditions are progressive, meaning they get worse over time, and their exact cause is unknown, although studies have identified several genetic mutations and abnormal proteins that may be involved.
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The three types of FTD are behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD), primary progressive aphasia (PPA), and movement-related disorders. The first and most common type, bvFTD, involves primarily cognitive symptoms, including difficulty planning and remembering the order of steps needed to complete a task, acting impulsively, and loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy. According to the NIA, problems with speech or movement may arise as the condition progresses.
PPA affects a person’s ability to use and understand language; it comes in several forms that differ in their specific symptoms. As the condition progresses, people with PPA may lose the ability to speak, develop memory and thinking problems, and exhibit behavior changes similar to those with bvFTD.
Finally, there are several movement disorders associated with FTD. In some cases, these affect the regions of the brain that control movement, as well as those involved in thinking and language, according to the NIA.
There is no cure for FTD, nor are there treatments to slow the progression of the disease Johns Hopkins Medicine (opens in new tab). People with FTD may be prescribed medications such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, and sleep aids to treat individual symptoms of the disorder. They may also work with speech and language pathologists, as well as physical and occupational therapists, to adapt to changes in their abilities.
People with FTD can live with the disorders for many years, but as they worsen they may engage in dangerous behaviors and otherwise lose the ability to take care of themselves Stanford medicine (opens in new tab). They are also at increased risk of infection and fall-related injuries.
“Bruce has always believed in using his voice in the world to help others and to raise awareness of important issues both publicly and privately,” the Wills family statement said. “We know in our hearts that if he could today, he would want to respond by bringing global awareness and a connection with those who are also dealing with this debilitating disease and how it affects so many people and their families. “
