Baltimore Social Security Disability Lawyers: Long-Term Effects of Frontotemporal Dementia

Posted on March 14, 2016

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD), also known as Pick’s Disease, is a degenerative brain disorder caused by progressive nerve cell loss in the frontal or temporal lobes of the brain. There is no known cure and the effects, which worsen over time, can be physically and emotionally devastating for patients and their families. Symptoms of the disease include communications problems, difficulty making decisions, memory loss, decreased coordination and repetitive behavior. Sadly, most patients with FTD will eventually require 24-hour care.

 

The two main causes of FTD are a group of brain disorders involving the tau protein, and another group of brain disorders involving the TDP43 protein. For unknown reasons, these disorders attack the frontal and temporal lobes, which causes dementia.

FTD has three subtypes, which have different symptoms and characteristics. They include:

  • Behavior variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD): Characterized by changes in personality, occurring in patients in their 50s and 60s. It affects the area of the brain that controls judgment, empathy and foresight.
  • Primary progressive aphasia (PPA): Characterized by compromised language, speaking, writing and comprehension. Usually present in midlife.
  • Disturbances of motor (movement and muscle) function:
    – Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): Also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, this causes severe muscle weakness and wasting.
    – Corticobasal syndrome: Causes stiffness in the arms and legs.
    – Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP): Causes muscle stiffness, difficulty walking and can effect eye movements.

Diagnosing FTD

A patient who begins to show signs of the disease will be given a range of tests that could include a neurological assessment, an MRI, an EEG and a CT scan. The only test that can confirm an FTD diagnosis is a brain biopsy.

Unfortunately, FTD can lead to long-term disabilities. A Maryland social security disability lawyer will be able to walk you through the claims process and clarify any questions you may have about your coverage, including the following matters:

Maryland Social Security Disability Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Assist Clients Through Every Phase of the Claims Process

If you have been diagnosed with a debilitating disease like FTD, it is in your best interest to contact our Maryland Social Security lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton so that we can fight for your rights and ensure that you receive the benefits you deserve. We will negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf so that you can focus on your health. For a free consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.

Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie and Towson, allowing us to handle Social Security disability appeals throughout Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Southern Maryland and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Parkville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood and Elkridge.