Confirming an FTD diagnosis

Once other likely diseases have been ruled out, an FTD diagnosis is made by looking at the data from a neurological exam and personal history (which may come from the patient, family or other caregiver); neuropsychological tests that help quantify memory, language and other cognitive skills; and a brain image - usually a MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan but perhaps a functional scan like PET (positron emission tomography) which can show increased or lowered brain activity in the frontal and anterior temporal areas.

An accurate diagnosis made after ruling out other possible explanations is essential for successful treatment or management of any disease. As new medical treatments become available, early intervention will be more and more important. Regardless of medical treatments, the sooner patients and caregivers have an accurate diagnosis, they sooner they can plan for upcoming care. As FTD tends to affect younger people than Alzheimer's or other dementias and lasts for eight years on average, creating a care plan is particularly important for everyone touched by this disease.