The Ultimate Guide to Dementia

9. Impact of Pick's Disease

Pick's disease results when tau proteins accumulate within neurons in the frontal or temporal lobes of the brain. While this condition can affect memory, most people note a significant behavioral or personality change within the diagnosed individual. Some people with Pick's disease have difficulty planning or carrying out a task, while others with the condition experience an inability to control impulsive behaviors. These behaviors may be violent or socially inappropriate, depending on disease progression. As the frontal lobes degenerate, the individual loses self-awareness and social dexterity, making their behaviors increasingly erratic and illogical. Excessive emotion or emotional flatness has also been observed in those diagnosed with Pick's disease.