10 Signs of Frontotemporal Dementia

2. Causes and Risk Factors

In addition to atrophy or shrinking of the frontal or temporal lobes of the brain, frontotemporal dementia is caused by the accumulation of excess proteins in the brain. Researchers don’t yet know much about what prompts these causes to develop in the first place.

Genetic mutations seem to be linked to the risk of developing bvFTD, though this doesn’t appear to be behind at least half of the cases. There is also evidence of shared genetics and molecular pathways between bvFTD and ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease. The only clear, predictive risk factor, however, is a family history of dementia.