Frontotemporal dementia is most likely to present with which early sign?

Frontotemporal dementia is most likely to present with which early sign?

• A. Memory loss as the initial symptom
• B. Early visual neglect
• C. Seizures
• D. Personality changes

Answer: (D)

Frontotemporal dementia primarily hits the frontal and temporal lobes, which govern behavior, personality, and language. Because these areas are affected early, the first signs are changes in how a person behaves and relates to others—such as disinhibition, apathy, loss of empathy, or socially inappropriate behavior. Memory loss happens later in this condition, so it isn’t the earliest symptom. Early visual neglect would point to problems in the back parts of the brain (parietal/occipital regions), and seizures are not the hallmark early feature of frontotemporal dementia. So, the best answer is personality changes.

Frontotemporal dementia primarily hits the frontal and temporal lobes, which govern behavior, personality, and language. Because these areas are affected early, the first signs are changes in how a person behaves and relates to others—such as disinhibition, apathy, loss of empathy, or socially inappropriate behavior. Memory loss happens later in this condition, so it isn’t the earliest symptom. Early visual neglect would point to problems in the back parts of the brain (parietal/occipital regions), and seizures are not the hallmark early feature of frontotemporal dementia. So, the best answer is personality changes.