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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffPeople who have frontotemporal dementia often don't recognize that they have a problem. In many cases, family members are the ones who notice the symptoms and arrange for a doctor's appointment. Your family physician may refer you to a neurologist or psychologist for further evaluation.
What you can do
Because you may not be aware of all your signs and symptoms, it's a good idea to take a family member or close friend along with you to the doctor's appointment. You may also want to take a written list that includes:
- Detailed descriptions of your symptoms
- Information about medical problems you've had in the past
- Information about the medical problems of your parents or siblings
- All the medications and dietary supplements you take
- Questions you want to ask the doctor
What to expect from your doctor
In addition to a physical exam, your doctor may also check your neurological health by testing your:
- Reflexes
- Muscle strength
- Muscle tone
- Senses of touch and sight
- Coordination
- Balance
During the appointment, your doctor might also conduct a brief mental status evaluation, which may assess:
- Memory
- Problem-solving abilities
- Attention span
- Counting skills
- Language usage
- Ropper AH, et al. Degenerative diseases of the nervous system. In: Ropper AH, et al. Adams and Victor's Principles of Neurology. 9th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3639100&searchStr=frontotemporal+dementia. Accessed Nov. 7, 2010.
- Simon RP, et al. Disorders of cognitive function. In: Simon RP, et al. Clinical Neurology. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=5145195&searchStr=frontotemporal+dementia. Accessed Nov. 7, 2010.
- Randall C. Frontotemporal dementia: Clinical features and diagnosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 7, 2010.
- NINDS Frontotemporal dementia information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/picks/picks.htm. Accessed Nov. 7, 2010.
- Seelaar H, et al. Clinical, genetic and pathological heterogeneity of frontotemporal dementia: a review. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry. In press. Accessed Nov. 7, 2010.
- Kirshner HS. Frontotemporal dementia and primary progressive aphasia: An update. Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports. 2010;10:504.
- Bird TD, et al. Dementia. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies. 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2904115&searchStr=frontotemporal+dementia. Accessed Nov. 7, 2010.
- Shadlen M, et al. Evaluation of cognitive impairment and dementia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 7, 2010.
- Neurological diagnostic tests and procedures. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/misc/diagnostic_tests.htm. Accessed Nov. 7, 2010.
- Press D, et al. Treatment of behavioral symptoms related to dementia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 7, 2010.
- Knopman DS (expert opinion), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Nov. 14, 2010.
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