Bruce Willis Diagnosis Explained How Aphasia Can Lead to Dementia

Bruce Willis Diagnosis Explained: How Aphasia Can Lead to Dementia

Hollywood legend Bruce Willis has been diagnosed with a rare type of dementia, his family has announced.

The Die Hard star, 67, has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The illness developed from his case of aphasia, which became public knowledge in the spring of 2022.

The new diagnosis affects the front and sides of the brain, causing behavioral, personality, and language deterioration. FTD is responsible for one in 10 cases of dementia.

Mr. Willis is among the 50,000 to 60,000 Americans who have the disease. Around 7 million people in the US suffer from some type of dementia.

The devastating diagnosis prompted Mr Willis to retire from acting in March last year.

Bruce Willis was given a second devastating diagnosis less than a year after it was revealed he had an untreatable brain disorder

Bruce Willis was given a second devastating diagnosis less than a year after it was revealed he had an untreatable brain disorder

95% of right-handers and two-thirds of left-handers use the left side of their brain's frontal and temporal lobes to process language.  The remaining third of left-handers are right-brain dominant.  When this part of the brain is damaged, speech and language suffer.

95% of right-handers and two-thirds of left-handers use the left side of their brain’s frontal and temporal lobes to process language. The remaining third of left-handers are right-brain dominant. When this part of the brain is damaged, speech and language suffer.

In their statement today, Mr Willis’ family said: “Since we announced Bruce’s diagnosis of aphasia in Spring 2022, Bruce’s condition has improved.

“We now have a more specific diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia (known as FTD).”

FTD is a collective term for dementia that primarily affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, which are responsible for personality, behavior, speech, and language.

Scientists say an abnormal buildup of proteins in the brain that damage brain cells causes the condition.

Over time, these can also lead to the death of brain cells, causing the frontal and temporal lobes to begin to shrink (or atrophy).

Studies suggest that genetic mutations and a family history of FTD put someone at higher risk for the condition.

The genetic mutations involved include the tau gene, which is linked to building abnormal proteins, and the GRN gene, which can cause proteins in brain cells to go wrong.

There are two common forms of FTD.

One is behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD), in which loss of nerve cells affects behavior, judgment, and empathy.

The other form is primary progressive aphasia (PPA), which affects the nerve cells in the areas of your brain that affect understanding and communication. These are the key to language, speaking and writing.

The condition usually begins in the 40s to 60s, with symptoms gradually worsening over time.

With PPA, damage occurs to the temporal lobes on either side of the head closest to the ears, leading to speech problems.

It often begins with behavioral changes, such as beginning socially inappropriate, apathetic, or impulsive actions.

But unlike Alzheimer’s, patients can still remember past events.

Other differences between the diseases include that FTD sufferers have a more pervasive apathy and a lack of concern for others or a lack of initiative.

They may also be able to remember the time of day, their location, and keep track of current events, unlike Alzheimer’s patients who have trouble remembering new information.

But as the disease progresses, more and more areas of the brain are damaged.

At this point, symptoms are similar to those of late-stage Alzheimer’s disease, including difficulty eating or swallowing, needing help to walk, and being prone to infection.

Mr Willis’ family said today that communication problems were one of the symptoms the actor was facing.

The disease can also affect other mental abilities, such as memory and movement. It is known to cause slow or stiff movements, loss of bladder or bowel control, muscle weakness and/or difficulty swallowing.

About 10 to 20 percent of patients suffer from movement problems.

Alzheimer’s UK says FTD symptoms are ‘very different’ from other more common types of dementia.

It adds that in the early stages of the disease, unlike other types of dementia, patients can remember recent events.

Bruce Willis' family said the star's condition was

Bruce Willis’ family said the star’s condition was “progressive”. FTD affects the brain lobes behind the forehead that deal with behavior, problem solving, planning and emotions (pictured with LR wife Emma Heming, ex-wife Demi Moore and daughters Scout, Tallulah, Mabel, Evelyn and Rumer)

There is no cure for FTD, treatment instead focuses on slowing down the disease and managing symptoms.

The rate at which the disease progresses varies widely, with life expectancy ranging from two to ten years after diagnosis.

The Cleveland Clinic says patients can live an average of seven years and six months after diagnosis.

FTD alone is not fatal, but it can cause other serious or even life-threatening problems.

These include swallowing difficulties – medically called dysphagia. Problems eating and drinking also increase the risk of developing pneumonia or respiratory failure.

Mr Willis’ family said: “Bruce has always believed in using his voice in the world to help others and raise awareness of important issues both publicly and privately.

“We know in our hearts that if he could today he would want to respond by bringing global attention and connection to those who are also dealing with this debilitating disease and how it affects so many people and their families.

“Bruce has always found joy in life – and has helped everyone he knows do the same.”

The Willis/Heming family statement in full

“As a family, we wanted to take this opportunity to thank you all for the outpouring of love and compassion for Bruce over the past ten months. Your generosity has been overwhelming and we are very grateful for it.

“For your kindness and because we know you love Bruce as much as we do, we wanted to give you an update.

“Since we announced Bruce’s aphasia diagnosis in Spring 2022, Bruce’s condition has improved and we now have a more specific diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia (known as FTD).

“Unfortunately, communication difficulties are just a symptom of the illness Bruce is facing.

“While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis.

“FTD is a cruel disease that many of us have never heard of and can affect anyone. In people under the age of 60, FTD is the most common form of dementia, and since it can take years to diagnose, FTD is probably much more common than we know.

“Today, there are no treatment options for the disease, a reality that we hope will change in the years to come.

“As Bruce’s condition progresses, we hope media attention can focus on shedding light on this disease, which requires much more awareness and research.”

They added: “Bruce has always believed in using his voice in the world to help others and raise awareness of important issues both publicly and privately.

“We know in our hearts that if he could today, he would want to respond by bringing global attention and a connection to those who are also dealing with this debilitating disease and how it affects so many people and their families.

“Ours is just a family with a loved one suffering from FTD and we encourage others affected by it to seek the wealth of information and support that is available through AFTD (@theaftd, theaftd.org).

“And for those of you who have been fortunate enough not to have had personal experience with FTD, we hope that you will take the time to learn more about it and support AFTD’s mission in any way you can.

“Bruce has always found joy in life – and has helped everyone he knows do the same.

“It meant for the world to see that sense of caring reflect back on him and all of us.

“We were so moved by the love you all shared for our dear husband, father and friend at this difficult time. Your continued compassion, understanding and respect will allow us to help Bruce live the fullest life possible.’

-Emma, ​​Demi, Rumer, Scout, Tallulah, Mabel and Evelyn