What is the difference between frontotemporal dementia and Alzhiemer's disease?

Iamagram asked...

My husband has been clinically diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. He does not have any personality disorders, but a lot with language. How is this different from Alzheimer's disease? I think he has a lot of Alzhiemer's disease symptoms to. Can anyone explain the difference or send advise?

Expert Answer

Deborah Cooke is a gerontologist specializing in dementia, delirium, caregiving, and senior fitness. She is a certified dementia care provider and specialist through the Alzheimer's Foundation of America. Cooke currently manages several multidisciplinary programs to enhance well-being for hospitalized seniors and other vulnerable patients at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. She also serves on the board of NewYork-Presbyterian's Patient and Family Education Advisory Committee. She has 18 years of experience working with the aging and caregiver communities.

Dementia is a very broad category. Frontotemporal and Alzheimer's are a few "types" of dementia. Different types of dementia depend on the clinical process. Frontotemporal is your husband's clinical process. Alzheimer's is another clinical process.

The theme is that they are all types of dementia and often will present the same. If you want to learn more, you can go to www.alz.org They should break down the different types of dementia.

Hope this helps.