Symptoms include slowness and lethargy and emotional ups and downs. As the name suggests, these disorders affect mainly the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain and usually begins between 40 to 65 years of age. The causes of Frontal Lobe dementia and Pick's disease are not yet known, but in a minority of cases they run in families. It usually appears between the ages of 30 and 50 and is characterised by intellectual decline and irregular, involuntary movement of the limbs or facial muscles. Other symptoms include personality change, memory disturbance, slurred speech, impaired judgement and psychiatric problems.
Diagnosis includes an evaluation of family medical history and CAT brain scanning.
There is no treatment available to stop the progression of the disease, but medication can control movement disorders and psychiatric symptoms. Dementia occurs in the majority of cases. This is particularly so if it is also associated with poor diet, blackouts and frequent falls. The most vulnerable parts of the brain are those used for memory, higher cognitive tasks such as planning, organising and judgement, social skills and balance. If drinking ceases, there can be some improvement.