Abstract

Frontotemporal dementia is a disorder of paralimbic prefrontal-insular circuitry. The disorder is often sporadic but can be caused by genetic mutations in tau, progranulin, valosin, TDP-43 and CHMP2b. The major clinical manifestations of FTD include addictive behaviors, disinhibition, apathy, overeating and loss of sympathy and empathy for others. Treatment is currently focused around symptoms but disease-modifying therapies seem feasible.