Diagnosis

The Neurobehavior and Memory Clinic at Northwestern Medicine is affiliated with our center and offers clinical consultations to patients, families and providers, including diagnostic evaluations, second opinions and supportive services. Clinical history, cognitive exam, blood, genetic, spinal fluid and imaging tests are used to diagnose FTDs and their underlying causes.

The particular variant of FTD can be difficult to diagnose because symptoms may present at different times and there may be overlap. For example, challenges with language can present in primary progressive aphasia and also in bvFTD.

Learn more about the variants of FTD

Primary progressive aphasia (PPA)

A dementia syndrome that affects a person’s language ability and can present as difficulties with word-finding, word usage, word order, word comprehension, and spelling.

Learn more about PPA

Behavioral Variant Frontotemporal Dementia (bvFTD)

A dementia syndrome that affects a person’s mental function including attention span, ability to concentrate, and changes in activity level or social skills.

Learn more about bvFTD

Corticobasal Syndrome (CBS)

This syndrome affects a person’s motor function, speech, cognitive ability and behavior.

Learn more about CBS

Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Syndrome (PSPS)

A syndrome that affects a person’s ability to balance and can be characterized by tremor, rigidity, and slow movement.

Learn more about PSPS