What is Pick's Disease?

Pick’s disease is a rare, progressive, age-related form of dementia that causes irreversible brain damage. Sometimes, doctors refer to the condition as frontotemporal dementia (FTD) or frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), although there is disagreement as to whether these are different types of illness. In some ways, Pick’s disease is similar to Alzheimer’s disease, although Pick’s is less common and there are physiological and symptomatic differences between the two. People with Pick’s disease have problems with behavior, memory, and language. Like other kinds of dementia, the disease can progress and worsen slowly over multiple years.

1. Symptoms of Pick's Disease

The signs and symptoms of Pick’s disease include

• heightened self-awareness
• irritation and agitation, and aggression towards others
• inappropriate and repetitive behavior
• language problems such as halted speech and understanding writing
• lack of concern for others and interest in daily activities
• mood swings, distraction, and memory problems later in the progression
• difficulties doing things that haven’t been planned
• overeating