Bruce Willis has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, a type of dementia that affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, according to a recent family statement.
Dementia Ends Bruce Willis' Career
Willis was diagnosed with aphasia in September 2022, a disorder that can result in difficulty speaking and writing. Frontotemporal dementia can also lead to motor function and movement impairments, which can be categorized as Lou Gehrig's disease, often known as ALS.
As NPR reports, the actor's family announced that Willis would end his decades-long career due to impaired cognition. Bruce Willis is best known for his performances in Die Hard and Armageddon. Although having trouble communicating is just one indication of the illness, his family said it was a relief to have a diagnosis finally.
What Is Frontotemporal Dementia?
One of many kinds of dementia, frontotemporal dementia (FTD), manifests in various symptoms. The National Institute on Aging (NIA) tells us that primary progressive aphasia deteriorates portions of the brain that control speaking, writing, and comprehension. Behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia can induce nerve loss in brain regions that control empathy, judgment, and behavior.
According to the Alzheimer's Association, doctors use brain imaging technologies, such as MRIs, to diagnose FTD, which is matched with a patient's medical history and symptoms. There are no recognized risk factors for frontotemporal degeneration, which affects approximately 30% of adults. While there are drugs that can temporarily alleviate symptoms, the condition inevitably worsens.
Frontotemporal Disorders Symptoms
Frontotemporal disorders symptoms include unusual actions, emotional disturbances, and difficulty communicating, working, or walking. FTD occurs at a younger age than other forms of dementia, and around 60% of patients with FTD are between the ages of 45 and 64.
Experts say that FTD symptoms, most of the time, can be misinterpreted, resulting in frustration and conflict. Yet, it is critical to recognize that people with these diseases cannot manage their behaviors or other symptoms and are unaware of their sickness.
The most frequent form of FTD, behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia, causes personality, behavioral, and judgment impairments.
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Language and movement issues may develop with time; necessitating increased care and monitoring for the individual living with bvFTD. While there is no cure for FTD and no treatments to halt its growth, there are strategies to manage the symptoms.
It is difficult to estimate how long a person with FTD will survive; some live for more than ten years following diagnosis, while others live for less than two years.
Bruce Willis and AI Technology
In September 2022, Bruce Willis reportedly agreed to sell the rights to his image so that deep fake technology could be used to create a digital twin and continue performing. This is after the seasoned actor announced his retirement from acting due to aphasia. Willis' family later on, denied the news.
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