Wendy Williams has been diagnosed with a form of dementia, according to a statement released Thursday on behalf of her caregivers.
The 59-year-old former talk show host was diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia last year “after undergoing a series of medical tests,” according to a statement.
Take a look at this condition that also affects actor Bruce Willis.
What is frontotemporal dementia?
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a rare disease that affects the parts of the brain that control behavior and language. As the disease worsens, these parts of the brain shrink.
FTD usually occurs in people in their 40s, 50s, or early 60s. It can affect a person’s personality and cause loss of inhibitions and inappropriate behavior. It can be mistaken for depression or bipolar disorder, and diagnosis can take years.
“I have to say, this is a really difficult diagnosis,” said Brenda Rupp, a cognitive scientist at Johns Hopkins University. “Maybe you’re doing something that’s bothering people and you don’t really understand why it’s bothering people.” That’s frustrating for everyone involved. Rupp says they may end up doing so.
The disease often includes primary progressive aphasia, which means it causes problems with language skills. People with this type of FTD may have difficulty finding words or understanding conversations.
What causes FTD?
It is caused by damage to neurons, the brain’s information carriers, but the underlying reason in specific cases is often unknown. People with a family history of this condition are more likely to develop it. However, most patients with FTD do not have a family history of dementia.
Can FTD be treated?
Although there is no cure for FTD, there are strategies to deal with it. People with types that affect their language may receive speech therapy. You may also receive physical therapy to improve your movement.
Some patients receive antidepressants and Parkinson’s disease medications, but Parkinson’s disease has some symptoms that overlap with FTD.
How quickly does FTD progress?
FTD can be a long-term illness that can last anywhere from 2 to 10 years. FTD patients require care and nursing support as their symptoms worsen.
“The disease will spread throughout the brain,” Rupp said. “The rate is extremely unpredictable. So it’s very difficult to know how quickly someone will deteriorate.”
The financial burden on families can be immense. The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that out-of-pocket medical costs and long-term care costs an average of $10,000 a year for people with dementia.
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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Education Media Group. AP is solely responsible for all content.
