FTD and Related Disorders

Many other neurodegenerative conditions are associated with Frontotemporal degeneration (FTD). Some conditions, such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), can co-occur with FTD. Other conditions are frequently confused with forms of FTD, and this includes early-onset variants of Alzheimer's disease. Yet other conditions share features with some forms of FTD, such as Lewy body disease and other variants of Parkinson's disease. The Penn FTD Center's research interests also include other neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's Syndromes, Parkinson's Syndromes and Rapidly Progressing Dementias.

Parkinson's Syndromes

Some patients with neurodegenerative disease may develop significant difficulty with balance, rigidity, tremor or gait. The major diseases in this category are Parkinson’s disease (PD), Parkinson’s disease with Dementia (PDD) and Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). These related conditions are collectively known as “synucleinopathies” or “Lewy body spectrum disorders.” This is because the characteristic neuronal inclusions (“Lewy bodies”) seen at autopsy in these disorders are primarily composed of the protein, alpha-synuclein, and these inclusions were first observed by Frederic Lewy.

FTD with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Motor Neuron Disease (MND) or Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a disorder that is characterized by the progressive degeneration of neurons in the brain and spinal cord responsible for the voluntary control of muscle. Loss of these neurons and the resulting weakness that it produces causes ever increasing disability. Because the muscles of swallowing and or breathing are eventually affected, ALS is inevitably a life threatening disorder.

Corticobasal Syndrome (CBS)

Corticobasal Syndrome (CBS) is a progressive condition affecting the cortex or grey matter (outer surface) of the brain. This part of the brain is most concerned with higher level cognition. CBS also affects the basal ganglia and brainstem, which are deeper structures in the brain responsible for the smooth execution of movements. Because CBS affects the parts of the brain responsible for both cognitive function and movement, both of these abilities may be affected in this condition. Coticobasal Syndrome can often be confused with Parkinson’s disease, as individuals with CBS may move slowly, be rigid in their movements, and have a tremor.

FTD and Related Disorders

Parkinson's Syndromes

Behavioral variant FTD (bvFTD)

As the name implies, primary progressive aphasia is a disorder of language (aphasia) that is progressive in nature and not due to neurological diseases that are easily seen on an MRI like stroke, head trauma, and cancer.

Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) is a progressive condition that affects mobility, vision, speech, and cognition. Symptoms can begin as young as 40, but the average age of diagnosis is often in the 60s.

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