The diagnosis of behavior variant frontotemporal dementia and PPA are based on expert evaluation by a doctor who is familiar with these disorders. The type of problems experienced by the patient and the results of neurological exams are the core of the diagnosis. Brain scans such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and glucose positron emission scans are very helpful additional tests, but they must be interpreted in the context of the patient’s history and neurological exam.

Treatment

There's currently no cure for frontotemporal dementia, but there are treatments that can help manage some of the symptoms.

• Care plans

Before treatment starts, your current and future health and social care needs will be assessed, and a care plan drawn up. This is a way of ensuring you receive the right treatment for your needs. It involves identifying areas where you may need some assistance.

• Medicine

Medicines cannot stop frontotemporal dementia getting worse, but it can help reduce some of the symptoms for some people. Antidepressants and Antipsychotics medicines may help.

• Occupational therapy

to identify problem areas in everyday life, such as getting dressed, and help work out practical solutions.

• Language therapy

to help improve any communication or swallowing problems.

• physiotherapy

to help with movement difficulties

• strategies for challenging behaviour

such as distraction techniques, a structured daily routine, and activities like doing puzzles or listening to music

To help diagnose frontotemporal dementia, a doctor may:

• Perform an exam and ask about symptoms.

• Look at personal and family medical history.

• Use laboratory tests to help rule out other conditions.

• Order genetic testing.

• Conduct tests to assess memory, thinking, language skills, and physical functioning.

• Order imaging of the brain.

Key differences between FTD and Alzheimer's

• Age at diagnosis may be an important clue. Most people with FTD are diagnosed in their 40s and early 60s. Alzheimer's, on the other hand, grows more common with increasing age.

• Memory loss tends to be a more prominent symptom in early Alzheimer's than in early FTD, although advanced FTD often causes memory loss in addition to its more characteristic effects on behavior and language.

• Behavior changes are often the first noticeable symptoms in bvFTD, the most common form of FTD. Behavior changes are also common as Alzheimer's progresses, but they tend to occur later in the disease.

• Problems with spatial orientation — for example, getting lost in familiar places — are more common in Alzheimer's than in FTD.

• Hallucinations and delusions are relatively common as Alzheimer's progresses, but relatively uncommon in FTD.