What's New
Join Us for the 2021 AFTD Education Conference
Learn more and register today! People and families affected by FTD can find hope, support, and opportunities to connect with others who understand the journey at the 2021 AFTD Education Conference. This year’s conference will be broadcasted online on May 13 and 14, and will…
AFTD Volunteer Living with PPA Interviewed on “Rodger That” Podcast
AFTD volunteer Jennifer Lee discussed how her life has changed since being diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia (PPA) on the Rodger That podcast. In the 30-minute episode entitled “Living with Frontotemporal Dementia: Jennifer Lee,” Lee, 44, recalled noticing her FTD-related symptoms a year before receiving…
“Atlantic” Magazine Highlights Person Diagnosed with FTD
An article published in The Atlantic details the lives of persons diagnosed with dementia amid the COVID-19 pandemic, including one man diagnosed with FTD, and how the pandemic is impacting their health and lives. The article, published March 24, tells Joe Licata’s story of his rapid decline in performing independent tasks, his difficulties with impulse…
Chronic Pain May Be an Early Indicator of Dementia, Study Finds
People with dementia may experience increased levels of pain years before a diagnosis, says a new study from France. Researchers from the University of Paris analyzed a dataset from a long-term study (nearly 27 years) of health in more than 9,000 British government employees. Using a survey conducted multiple times over the course…
Tests That May Track FTD Symptom Progression Discussed at International FTD Conference
Alzforum’s coverage of the 2021 International Conference on Frontotemporal Dementias continues with an overview of the standardized tests that are available for tracking symptoms of FTD. In the fourth installment of Alzforum’s series, writer Jessica Shugart summarized FTD researchers’ attempts to develop standardized tests that objectively and comprehensively measure FTD symptoms. One promising candidate is multidomain impairment rating (MIR), developed by Bradley Boeve, MD, of the Mayo Clinic (and AFTD’s Medical Advisory Council), along…
Persons with FTD Advisory Council Member Shares Story of Advocacy and Volunteerism
Katie Brandt (left), Amy Shives (center), and Sharon Denny AFTD volunteer Amy Shives, MEd, discussed her experience of being diagnosed with FTD and the ways in which AFTD’s mission is informed directly by persons diagnosed on the latest Massachusetts General Hospital-led “Community Forum Friday” conversation. Shives and AFTD Senior…
PPA Conference: Communication & Connection 2021
AFTD is a sponsor of the 2021 PPA Conference, an online education and support virtual conference for persons living with primary progressive aphasia, their families and professionals, held by Northwestern University’s Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease. Participants…
A Lot Like Fun – Only Different
A Lot Like Fun – Only Different features stories, past and present, of author Jack Livingston and his longtime friend Chris Kelley, who is currently living with FTD. Jack says, “Chris was the ringleader of ‘cool stuff,’ routinely sweeping up…
Researchers Discuss Neuroimaging Techniques at International FTD Conference
Alzforum’s conference coverage series of the International Conference on Frontotemporal Dementias has continued. The third article in the series looked into the neuroimaging techniques that investigate patterns of atrophy, white-matter erosion, and a breakdown of neural circuitry in sporadic and familial forms of FTD. During the conference, researchers described…
Help & Hope #72
Issue #72: March 2021 In this issue you can register for AFTD’s 2021 Education Conference, get ideas for managing loneliness and isolation during the pandemic, learn how to host an independent event, get information about how to participate in FTD…