Wendy Williams has revealed that she has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), which is the same health problem that Bruce Willis has.
On February 22, Williams' team revealed for the first time that he had been diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and FTD. “In 2023, after undergoing a series of medical tests, Wendy was officially diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD),” the 59-year-old former daytime talk show host's care team wrote in a statement. of press.
“Aphasia, a condition that affects language and communication abilities, and frontotemporal dementia, a progressive disorder that affects behavior and cognitive functions, have already presented significant obstacles in Wendy's life,” the statement continued.
Williams' diagnosis comes a year after Bruce Willis' family shared that his condition progressed in a statement to the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration. “We now have a more specific diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia,” they wrote in February 2023. “Unfortunately, communication problems are just a symptom of the illness Bruce faces. While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis.
In March 2022, the die hard The star's family first announced that he was “stepping away” from acting after he was diagnosed with aphasia, which was “affecting his cognitive abilities.”
Here's how Williams and Willis are doing and everything you need to know about frontotemporal dementia.
What is FTD and how common is it?
FTD “represents a group of brain disorders caused by degeneration of the frontal and/or temporal lobes of the brain,” as noted by the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration. There are many different subtypes of FTD, including primary progressive aphasia (PPA), which is a disorder that affects the way a person speaks.
It is also the most common type of dementia among people under 60 years of age. However, it is “less common and less known” in the US, with an estimate of “60,000 cases.” The Frontotemporal Degeneration Association also recognizes that FTD has been misdiagnosed with other neurological conditions, such as Parkinson's disease or Alzheimer's disease.
The condition requires “an average of 3.6 years to obtain an accurate diagnosis.”
What are the causes and how to diagnose it?
Although the cause of FTD is unknown, “researchers have linked certain subtypes of FTD to mutations in several genes,” John Hopkins Medicine reports. People with the disease may also have “small structures” in their brain cells “that contain an abnormal amount or type of protein.”
The medical site notes that signs of FTD can be noticed through “subtle changes” in people's “behavior or language skills.” While there is no test to diagnose the disease, blood tests and physical exams can be performed to “rule out other conditions that cause similar symptoms.”
What are the symptoms of the condition?
Although FTD symptoms vary for each person, John Hopkins Medicine says they can “start gradually and progress steadily.” In some cases, they can progress rapidly.
The most common symptoms range from behavioral changes, including “cursing, stealing, increased interest in sex, or deterioration in personal hygiene habits.” Some other behaviors may include being “socially inappropriate or impulsive.”
Other personality changes may include an inability to understand language, with “difficulty naming objects, expressing words, or understanding the meaning of words.”
Some people with this condition may have physical symptoms, including “tremors, muscle spasms or weakness, poor coordination and/or balance, and difficulty swallowing.”
How to deal with FTD if there are no treatments?
There is currently no cure for FTD. However, according to the Mayo Clinic, certain medications can be used to manage the condition. Some antidepressants, such as trazodone, and antipsychotic medications, such as olanzapine and quetiapine, “may reduce behavioral problems associated” with the disease.
However, the medical site urges patients to use antipsychotic medications “with caution,” as people with dementia are at risk of side effects, “including an increased risk of death.”
Some people who have language difficulties might also go to speech therapists “to learn alternative communication strategies.”
In the statement, signed by Willis' wife Emma, his ex-partner Demi Moore and their five children, the family acknowledged how Unbreakable Star wants his diagnosis to bring “global attention” to FTD.
“We know in our hearts that, if I could today, I 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,” they explained.
