A tribute to Bruce Willis, the father of an aphasia patient and the final screening of his third film detective Knight: Independence
In a statement shared Thursday, the 67-year-old star’s family stated that while the news “is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis.”
Bruce always believed that he should use his voice to raise awareness about important issues in society, according to a new statement from his family. “We know in our hearts that – if he could today – he would want to respond by bringing global attention and a connectedness with those who are also dealing with this debilitating disease and how it impacts so many individuals and their families.”
Willis’ family — including wife Emma Heming Willis, ex-wife Demi Moore and his daughters — first disclosed his diagnosis of aphasia back in 2022. They said at the time that they believed that his cognitive ability was affected by a medical condition and that he would be taking a break from acting.
“The most common dementia for people under 60, FTD can cause challenges in communication, as well as changes to one’s behavior, personality, or movement,” according to a statement from the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration.
In January of 2023, we saw the third and final movie in the detective Knight film series, titled Detective Knight: Independence. He also has action movie “Assassin” slated for release next month.
Bruce Willis, 67, has Alzheimer’s Disease. He leaves behind his wife and two children, who have died of frontotemporal dementia
Bruce has found joy in life and he has helped everyone else do the same. It has meant the world to hear that sense of care from him and everybody else. “We have been so moved by the love you have all shared for our dear husband, father, and friend during this difficult time. Your continued compassion, understanding, and respect will enable us to help Bruce live as full a life as possible.”
After retiring from acting in March 2022 due to a speaking disorder called aphasia, Bruce Willis, 67, has since been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, his family announced Thursday.
The US National Institute on Aging indicates that people living with the condition live six to eight years. Between 10% and 30% of FTD cases are inherited. There are no other known risk factors besides genetics, while researchers are looking at the role the thyroid andinsulin may play in the disease.
aphasia means problems with language and it can differ from having difficulty finding your words to understanding what people say. It can happen if you have a brain tumor, stroke or progressive neurodegenerative condition.
Another type affects motor neurons, and can show up via an inability to swallow, rigid muscles, and difficulty in using hands or arms to “perform a movement despite normal strength, such as difficulty closing buttons or operating small appliances,” according to the National Institute on Aging.
It’s difficult to know if someone has a form of the disease, because the symptoms and order in which they appear can be different for both individuals and for different parts of the brain.
In behavioral FTD, people rarely have issues with memory. Instead, they struggle to plan and sequence their thinking and have trouble setting priorities, according to the National Institute on Aging. They may parrot the same activity or word again and again, become disinterested in life, and act impulsively — saying inappropriate words or doing things others might perceive as embarrassing.
A person with primary progressive aphasia might have trouble speaking or understanding words. They will fail to recognize faces and objects over time. It is possible that they may become silent.
PPA might begin with difficulty finding words and then people will begin to use simpler words for things they can’t remember.
“Now that also comes with the territory of aging, but when the language is more effortful on a daily basis, or the comprehension is going downhill, that’s a sign that someone should see a doctor for an evaluation,” he said.
Motor neuron FTD disorders may not affect memory, cognition, language or behavior, especially at first. Initial signs may include the inability to control movements, or issues with balance and walking. A hallmark sign of one of those disorders, progressive supranuclear palsy, is difficulty with looking down or other eye movements.
A brain magnetic resonance image can tell us if certain parts of the brain are showing signs of aging. We will do some blood tests to make sure that we are not missing any of the causes of cognitive impairment that are related to vitamins B12, B13 and other vitamins.
“And oftentimes, we also will do brain metabolism imaging,” Paulson said. It is possible to tell which parts of the frontal and temporal lobes are involved with Positron Emission Tomography.
Speech-Language Pathology of Progressive Dementing Syndrome: Diagnosis, Treatment and Implications for Movement and Cognitive Skills
For people with progressive dementing syndrome, it’s important to eat well, exercise and remain connected with people. Those activities are not medications, they’re not curing the disease, but they can help your brain work as well as possible,” Paulson said.
A speech-language pathologist can help determine the best strategies and tools for an FTD patient struggling with language skills. Physical or occupational therapy, guided by a doctor specializing in these disorders, may help with movement symptoms.
“I’ve seen patients who completely lose their speech and yet they go out and take their camera and take beautiful photographs of the lives they’re living. They can tell me things in pictures but not in words.
“I tell all my patients, ‘Don’t let this disease own you. He said that you own it. It is true that you have lost a few skills due to your illness, but you still have a lot of skills left and you are able to work with them.
Diagnosis of FTD tends to happen between a person in their 40s and 60s, while Alzheimer’s happens at a later age. Alzheimer’s can be related to problems with memory loss, as well as issues with spatial orientation.
Doctors use brain imaging technology, such as MRIs, to diagnose FTD. The patient’s medical history and symptoms are analyzed along with the results. About 30% of people with frontotemporal degeneration inherit the disease; there are no known risk factors.