Wendy Williams has been diagnosed with a form of dementia, according to a statement issued Thursday on behalf of her caregivers.
The former talk show host, 59, was diagnosed last year with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia “after undergoing a series of medical tests,” according to the statement.
A look at the disease that also affects actor Bruce Willis:
What is frontotemporal dementia?
Frontotemporal dementia, or FTD, is a rare disease that affects parts of the brain that control behavior and language. These parts of the brain shrink as the disease worsens.
FTD usually occurs in people in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. It can affect a person's personality, causing a loss of inhibition or inappropriate behavior. It is sometimes confused with depression or bipolar disorder and can take years to diagnose.
“I have to tell you, it's a really difficult diagnosis,” said Johns Hopkins University cognitive scientist Brenda Rapp. “Maybe you're doing things that bother people and you don't really understand why they bother people.” That can be frustrating for everyone involved, Rapp said.
The disease often includes primary progressive aphasia, meaning it causes problems with language skills. A person with this type of FTD may have trouble finding words or understanding speech.
What causes FTD?
It is caused by damage to neurons, the brain's information carriers, but the underlying reasons for a particular case are often unclear. People with a family history of this condition are more likely to develop it. But most people with FTD have no family history of dementia.
Can FTD be treated?
There is no cure for FTD, but there are strategies to address it. People can receive speech therapy if they have the type that affects language. They may receive physical therapy to improve movement.
Some patients receive antidepressants or medications for Parkinson's, which has some symptoms that overlap with those of FTD.
How quickly does FTD progress?
FTD can be a long-term disease, lasting two to 10 years. People with FTD will need nursing care or support as their symptoms worsen.
“The disease will spread throughout the brain,” Rapp said. “The pace at which he does it is extremely unpredictable. So it's very difficult to know… how quickly someone will deteriorate.”
The financial burden on families can be immense. The Alzheimer's Association estimates that out-of-pocket expenses for the health and long-term care of a person with dementia cost $10,000 a year on average.
