Bruce Willis health: Hollywood star Bruce Willis has reportedly been diagnosed with untreatable dementia. The actor’s family reveal his illness via an official statement on Thursday.
Bruce Willis, 67, quit acting last year after being diagnosed with aphasia – a condition that affects speech and language – which has now sadly ‘progressed’.
ALSO READ :Bruce Willis Frontotemporal Dementia Diagnosis: What to Know
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is the most common form of dementia in people under 60 and symptoms include personality changes, obsessive behaviour and speaking difficulties.
The actor’s daughter Rumer, 34, whom he shares with his ex-wife, Demi Moore, shared the heartbreaking news on Instagram. The post explained that Bruce’s condition was sadly “not treatable” and it “has progressed.”
It read: “Our family wanted to start by expressing our deepest gratitude for the incredible outpouring of love, support, and wonderful stories we have all received since sharing Bruce’s original diagnosis.
“In the spirit of that, we wanted to give you an update about our beloved husband, father, and friend since we now have a deeper understanding of what he is experiencing.” The statement went on to detail the “painful” disease the Pulp Fiction star is facing.
“Since we announced Bruce’s diagnosis of aphasia in spring 2022, Bruce’s condition has progressed and we now have a more specific diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia (known as FTD).
“Unfortunately, challenges with communication are just one symptom of the disease Bruce faces. While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis.
“To read our full statement and learn more about this disease please go to the link in our bio,” she closed, signing off as the “Ladies of Willis/Moore.” Willis’ ex-wife Demi and daughter Tallulah shared the same statement on their own Instagram accounts.
ALSO READ:Everything to know about Singer Faith Evans
‘CRUEL DISEASE’
The family’s statement continued on The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration website further detailing the difficult toll the disease takes.
It read: “FTD is a cruel disease that many of us have never heard of and can strike anyone. For people under 60, FTD is the most common form of dementia, and because getting the diagnosis can take years, FTD is likely much more prevalent than we know.
“Today there are no treatments for the disease, a reality that we hope can change in the years ahead. As Bruce’s condition advances, we hope that any media attention can be focused on shining a light on this disease that needs far more awareness and research.
“Bruce Willis always believed in using his voice in the world to help others, and to raise awareness about important issues both publicly and privately. We know in our hearts that – if he could today — he would want to respond by bringing global attention and connectedness with those who are also dealing with this debilitating disease and how it impacts so many individuals and their families.”
The message went on: “Ours is just one family with a loved one who suffers from FTD, and we encourage others facing it to seek out the wealth of information and support available through AFTD (@theaftd, theaftd.org).
“And for those of you who have been fortunate enough to not have any personal experience with FTD, we hope that you will take the time to learn about it, and support AFTD’s mission in whatever way you can.
“Bruce Willis has always found joy in life – and has helped everyone he knows to do the same. It has meant the world to see that sense of care echoed back to him and to all of us. We have been so moved by the love you have all shared for our dear husband, father, and friend during this difficult time.
“Your continued compassion, understanding, and respect will enable us to help Bruce live as full a life as possible,” the family concluded.
ALSO READ:Nicola Bulley full story: All you need to know about missing mum’s disappearance
What is frontotemporal dementia?
Frontotemporal dementia, or FTD, refers to a group of disorders caused by nerve cell loss in the brain’s frontal lobes. This is the area behind your forehead and it can also be found in the regions behind your ears, known as the temporal lobe.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, this nerve damage leads to a loss of function in these brain regions.This can cause symptoms such as a deterioration in behaviour, personality issues or problems understanding others.
Guidance states that there are a number of different diseases that cause FTD with the most prominent being a group of brain disorders involving the protein tau and a second group involving a protein called TDP43.
These groups have a preference for the frontal lobe and temporal lobes that cause dementia.
Most people with FTD are diagnosed with the condition in their 40s and 60s, Alzheimer’s, on the other hand, grows more common with increasing age. Advanced FTD often causes memory loss in addition to its more characteristic effects on behaviour and language, guidance states.
What are the first signs of frontotemporal dementia?
People with primary progressive aphasia may struggle to speak in full sentences or have difficulty comprehending conversations. They may have a hard time writing or reading.
Those with the behavioral variant of FTD may act out of character, said Dr. Ian Grant, an assistant professor of neurology at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Families will say that patients “seem like they’ve lost a little bit of their filter,” he said. Someone who is typically quiet and reserved may start spewing profanities, for example, or loudly comment on a stranger’s appearance. The person may act apathetic, Dr. Miller said, losing motivation. Some may also display a lack of empathy for those around them.
People with FTD often struggle with organizational skills, failing to multitask or plan. Frontotemporal dementia can also manifest in excessive gambling or impulsive spending, said Dr. Joel Salinas, a clinical assistant professor of neurology at NYU Langone Health.
Dr. Grant described the poor judgment and erratic behavior that can come with personality changes from FTD, such as drinking an entire bottle of maple syrup. “They may be craving instant gratification, without any real ability to put a check on that,” he said.
In some cases, patients may be misdiagnosed with a psychiatric condition, like bipolar disorder, because of these symptoms, Dr. Grant added. There are a few ways to distinguish between a psychiatric condition and FTD, though: Frontotemporal dementia typically affects people in their 50s and 60s, and it is unusual, although not impossible, he said, for people to develop a new psychiatric disorder at that age without a previous history of mental health concerns.
Also, a brain scan in a person with FTD can show atrophy or shrinking in the front of the brain, while a psychiatric illness would be less likely to show such changes.
Genetics are a critical risk factor for FTD, but beyond that, doctors aren’t sure what causes the disease in most people, Dr. Miller said. There are, however, things that even people with a family history of the illness can do to lower their risk of developing dementia or to slow the disease course, he said, including exercising, engaging with others and keeping up with cognitive activities like reading, crossword puzzles, learning a new language or playing a musical instrument. But there isn’t evidence that any one activity can prevent FTD, Ms. Dickinson said.
Frontotemporal Dementia treatment options
Generally, patients with FTD will live for around five to seven years after they first display obvious symptoms, Dr. Grant said. There is no cure — “but there’s a difference between a disease not having a cure and saying, ‘There’s nothing we can do,’” he said.
Occupational therapy can help patients who have difficulty communicating. Speech therapy can also be a tool to help these patients, Dr. Salinas said.
Physicians often work with the families or loved ones of people with FTD to develop a care plan, which can include safeguards to make sure they cannot hurt themselves or their loved ones. Doctors may prescribe medications to help manage the symptoms; some patients may be prescribed antidepressants to cope with mood or behavioral symptoms, Dr. Miller said.
Patients often benefit from steady, predictable routines, Ms. Dickinson said. And many patients, as well as family members, find comfort in support groups, she added.
Doctors also work to ensure that families are looking out for themselves. “The family often suffers as much as the patient,” Dr. Miller said.
ALSO READ: Who is Bruce Willis wife? Get to know model and actress Emma Heming
