Dementia experts have identified that certain eating habits could serve as an early warning sign of frontotemporal dementia (FTD). According to the charity Dementia UK, FTD is a rare form of neurodegenerative disease, affecting about one in 20 dementia patients. Unlike other forms of dementia, FTD does not initially cause memory loss or difficulty concentrating.
Instead, one of the earliest signs is obsessive or repetitive behavior, which can be reflected in eating patterns. A specialised article from the International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA) notes that FTD is linked to a variety of abnormal eating behaviors. This includes binge eating, obsessions with certain foods, and even consuming non-edible objects, reports as.com.
Supporting this, sciencedaily also reports that FTD is linked to a wide range of abnormal eating behaviors, further complicating an already challenging condition. Some patients may reject any food that does not match their fixation. For instance, one documented case describes a woman who ate only bananas and drank milk for several months. An autopsy after her death confirmed she had FTD.
There have been cases of individuals with FTD taking food from others’ plates or completely disregarding their dietary restrictions. “These behaviours can be problematic both physically and socially,” says Marilena Aiello, a researcher at SISSA who participated in a review on the disease.
The study reveals: “Several findings reveal that such eating alterations are more common in patients with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) than other types of dementia. Moreover, eating alterations may differ between the two variants of the disease, namely the behavioral variant and semantic dementia (SD).”
She explained: “Patients tend to gain weight. Although in some extreme cases they lose weight due to obsessive consumption of a single food.”
The exact reason FTD affects eating habits remain unkown: however, Aiello suggests disruptions in the autonomic nervous system may play a significant role by altering hunger perception, satiety, and appetite. In addition to this, damage to the hypothalamus could weaken inhibitory signals, resulting in uncontrolled eating behavior.
This part of the brain plays a crucial role in producing hormones that regulate heart rate, body temperature, hunger and the sleep-wake cycle. Sensory and cognitive factors may also contribute, such as difficulty distinguishing between edible and non-edible objects.
What are the symptoms of FTD?
Unusual changes in eating habits can be a sign of frontotemporal dementia, but other symptoms are also common. According to NHS England, the most common forms of FTD typically involve personality and behavioral changes.
This includes impulsive or inappropriate actions, a lack of empathy, neglect of personal hygiene and loss of motivation. Language difficulties may also arise, including slow speech or trouble using words correctly or in the proper order within a sentence.
People may also struggle with organising and planning tasks and are easily distracted. As mentioned, although memory loss is not one of the initial symptoms, it often appears in more advanced stages of the disease.
Other physical signs include:
- slow or rigid movements
- muscle weakness
- loss of bladder or bowel control as well as difficulties swallowing (usually in the later stages)
If you think you have problems surrounding eating and need support, you can find free and confidential help via the Beat website here.
