Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD)

The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD) is a nationwide non-profit organization whose mission is to promote and fund research into finding the cause and cure for the frontotemporal dementias; to provide information, education, and support to persons diagnosed with frontotemporal dementias (FTD) and their families and caregivers; and to educate physicians and allied health professionals about FTD. AFTD maintains a listing of support groups in the US and Canada on its website and offers telephone support groups for people living where no group exists. The nerve cell damage caused by frontotemporal dementia leads to loss of function in these brain regions, which variably cause deterioration in behavior and personality, language disturbances, or alterations in muscle or motor functions. There are a number of different diseases that cause frontotemporal degenerations. The two most prominent are 1) a group of brain disorders involving the protein tau and 2) a group of brain disorders involving the protein called TDP43. For reasons that are not yet known, these two groups have a preference for the frontal and temporal lobes that cause dementia. FTD used to be called Pick's disease after Arnold Pick, a physician who in 1892 first described a patient with distinct symptoms affecting language. Some doctors still use the term "Pick's disease." Other terms you may see used to describe FTD include frontotemporal disorders, frontotemporal degenerations and frontal lobe disorders. The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to: promote and fund research into finding the cause, therapies and cures for frontotemporal degeneration. Provide information, education and support to persons diagnosed with an FTD disorder, and for their families and caregivers. Educate physicians and allied health professionals about frontotemporal degeneration and how to improve patient care. Bring about greater public awareness of the nature and prevalence of frontotemporal degeneration and the needs of those who are coping with it. Advocate with public officials and promote public and private programs that provide appropriate, affordable and high-quality, long-term health care and social services, and to facilitate the international exchange of ideas. AFTD envisions a world where frontotemporal degeneration is understood, effectively diagnosed, treated, cured and ultimately prevented