Bruce Willis Diagnosed with Frontotemporal Dementia

Key Highlights :

1. Bruce Willis has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia - FTD - after battling the brain disorder aphasia for nearly a year.

2. His family has shared the heartbreaking news in a statement, revealing his condition has “progressed”.

3. His family’s statement, from his wife Emma Heming , ex-wife Demi Moore, and his children was shared on The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration website and began: “Our family wanted to start by expressing our deepest gratitude for the incredible outpouring of love, support and wonderful stories we have all received since sharing Bruce’s original diagnosis.

4. Since we announced Bruce’s diagnosis of aphasia in spring 2022, Bruce’s condition has progressed and we now have a more specific diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia (known as FTD).

5. Symptoms tend to progressively worsen over time.

6. The causes of FTD are not clear. A few genetic mutations have been associated with the illness, however more than 50 per cent of the people who suffer from the disease have no family history of dementia.

7. Patients usually begin to see symptoms between the ages of 40 to 65, but it can haven an earlier onset.

8. Frontotemporal dementia is frequently misdiagnosed as Alzheimer’s disease.

9. There is no singular test that can diagnose the illness, so doctors usually analyse patients’ reflexes, memory, and problem-solving skills among various other components to reach an accurate diagnosis.

10. At present, there are no treatments or a cure for frontotemporal dementia, but there are various medications that help manage symptoms.

     Bruce Willis, the beloved actor known for his roles in Die Hard, Pulp Fiction, and The Sixth Sense, has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD). His family shared the heartbreaking news in a statement, revealing that his condition had “progressed” after battling the brain disorder aphasia for nearly a year.

     Frontotemporal dementia is a term used to describe a set of brain disorders that affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. These parts of the lobes atrophy, resulting in speech problems, emotional issues, and changes in personality. Other FTD symptoms can include loss of motor skills, difficulty walking, swallowing, and muscle spasms. Symptoms tend to progressively worsen over time.

     The causes of FTD are not clear. A few genetic mutations have been associated with the illness, but more than 50 percent of the people who suffer from the disease have no family history of dementia. Patients usually begin to see symptoms between the ages of 40 to 65, but it can have an earlier onset. It is the most common type of dementia for people under the age of 60.

     Frontotemporal dementia is frequently misdiagnosed as Alzheimer’s disease. There is no singular test that can diagnose the illness, so doctors usually analyse patients’ reflexes, memory, and problem-solving skills among various other components to reach an accurate diagnosis. At present, there are no treatments or a cure for frontotemporal dementia, but there are various medications that help manage symptoms.

     Bruce Willis’ wife, Emma Heming, expressed that her husband would want to share his struggle with the disease to help others. “Bruce always believed in using his voice in the world to help others, and to raise awareness about important issues both publicly and privately,” she said. “We know in our hearts that - if he could today - he would want to respond by bringing global attention and a connectedness with those who are also dealing with this debilitating disease and how it impacts so many individuals and their families.”

     The news of Bruce Willis’ diagnosis has been met with an outpouring of love and support from fans and celebrities alike. While there is no cure for FTD, it is encouraging to see the support that he and his family have been receiving. It is a reminder that we must continue to support those affected by dementia and raise awareness for the illness.

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