Unlike Alzheimer's disease, which generally affects most areas of the brain, Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is an umbrella term for a group of rare disorders that primarily affect the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain – the areas generally associated with personality and behaviour.

In some cases, brain cells in these areas can shrink or die. In other cases, the brain cells in these areas get larger, containing round, silver "Pick's bodies." The term "Pick's Disease" is used to describe this subtype of FTD that has these specific abnormalities. In both situations, the changes in the brain affect the person's ability to function.

Researchers estimate that approximately 2 percent of all dementia cases are FTD.

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