The term frontotemporal dementia is used for a range of conditions including Pick's disease, frontal lobe degeneration and the dementia associated with motor neurone disease. In some cases, brain cells in these areas can shrink or die. In other cases, the brain cells in these areas get larger, containing round, silver "Pick’s bodies." In both situations, the changes affect the person’s functioning. In the early stage of Pick’s Disease, behaviour changes or problems with language can appear separately, while the person often remains oriented to time and has preserved memory. As the disease progresses, general symptoms of dementia arise, such as confusion and forgetfulness.

For additional information:

• Frontotemporal Dementia - Alzheimer Society of Canada
• Not All Dementia is Alzheimer's disease - article from the Alert newsletter, Spring 2004
• The Association for Frontotemporal Dementias - information, education, and support to persons diagnosed with frontotemporal dementias (FTD), their families and caregivers; physicians and allied health professionals
• Frontal Lobe Dementia - fact sheet by Northwestern University
• How to Recognize Frontotemporal Dementia - Neuropsychiatry Reviews April 2002
• NINDS Frontotemporal Dementia Information Page - produced by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
• Pick's Disease: Support Group Online - includes fact sheets, online discussion groups, and articles by caregivers
• What is Fronto-Temporal Dementia (including Pick's Disease)? - fact sheet by Alzheimer's Society (UK)

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