2. Middle Stage bvFTD
The middle stage of Pick’s disease is characterized by a more significant decline in both cognitive and behavioral functions. This is the point where the symptoms of bvFTD become much more noticeable and start to interfere with the individual’s daily life. The deterioration of memory, language, and spatial skills become evident, and behavioral changes grow more severe.
As the disease progresses to the middle stage, individuals start experiencing more pronounced memory problems. This is not limited to forgetting names or misplacing items, which are common in early stages.
Instead, they may struggle with remembering recent events, conversations, or even faces. This escalating memory loss becomes a hindrance in their daily routine, affecting activities such as cooking, shopping, and driving.
The middle stage of Pick’s disease often presents with increased language difficulties. Individuals may have trouble finding the right words during conversations or may start to speak in a manner that is grammatically incorrect or nonsensical.
Reading and writing skills also start to decline, and comprehension of complex sentences becomes a challenge. These language difficulties, known as aphasia, can significantly impact the person’s ability to communicate effectively.
An often overlooked symptom in the middle stage of bvFTD is the deterioration of spatial skills. This involves problems with object recognition and understanding the relationship between the body and the surrounding space. Such spatial difficulties can result in clumsiness, frequent accidents, or challenges with tasks that require hand-eye coordination, such as dressing or using utensils.
The diagnosis of bvFTD in its middle stage generally involves a more straightforward process as the symptoms become more evident. However, it requires careful evaluation as the disease can often mimic other conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, or even certain psychiatric disorders.
In terms of treatment, it remains symptomatic and supportive. The main goal is to manage symptoms, slow down the progression of the disease, and improve the quality of life.(2)
