The Key Difference Between FTD and LBD
Lewy Body Dementia is characterized by the accumulation of Lewy bodies and alpha-synuclein in multiple brain regions.
FTD is marked by the degeneration of the frontal and temporal cortices.
Symptoms: Frontotemporal Dementia vs Lewy Body Dementia
To understand the differences between FTD and LBD, let us begin by looking at the symptoms that these diseases cause. As we mentioned previously, LBD causes a range of cognitive and non-cognitive symptoms, while FTD, especially in the early stages, causes symptoms related to behaviour and language.
Cognitive and Non-Cognitive Symptoms: LBD
LBD starts with a range of symptoms that onset slowly and worsen over time, causing detriment to daily activities. The most common symptom of LBD is dementia - an umbrella term refering to a loss of cognitive function. A common symptom of dementia is memory loss, the most frequent initial symptom reported in 53.9% of patients [1], but other symptoms are present.
Reductions in concentration, attention, alertness, and wakefulness are also common in LBD, although this varies from patient to patient. Seeing things that are not there, known as visual hallucinations, is another symptom of LBD, which can be very troubling for individuals.
Problems with movement and posture, including slow movement, difficulty walking, and muscle stiffness, are common motor symptoms in LBD. They are collectively referred to as Parkinsonian motor symptoms.
...