Actor Bruce Willis has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, his family said.
His wife Emma Heming and and their two young children, in addition to his ex-wife Demi Moore and their three adult children, are helping the actor
“live as full a life as possible,” the family said in a press release to People.
“Since we announced Bruce’s diagnosis of aphasia in spring 2022, Bruce’s condition has progressed and we now have a more specific diagnosis:
frontotemporal dementia
(often known as FTD),” Willis’ family said. “Unfortunately, challenges with communication are only one symptom of the disease Bruce faces. While that is painful, it’s a relief to finally have a transparent diagnosis.”
Frontotemporal dementia is an umbrella term for several brain disorders,
The frontal and temporal lobes, which control personality, language and behavior, can atrophy, sometimes causing major changes in the way in which a patient acts and speaks. This may appear to be a lack of empathy and other major personality shifts, which may be difficult for caregivers and other individuals who frolicked with the patient. It might also cause muscle spasms and diminish other motor functions.
Frontotemporal dementia is usually misdiagnosed as Alzheimer’s disease
While f
rontotemporal dementia is usually misdiagnosed as Alzheimer’s disease, it tends to affect younger people: symptoms of frontotemporal dementia can often begin between the ages of 40 and 65. (Willis can be 68 next month.)