“Since we announced Bruce's diagnosis of aphasia in spring 2022, Bruce's condition has progressed and we now have a more specific diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia (known as FTD). Unfortunately, challenges with communication are just one symptom of the disease Bruce faces.

What is causing Bruce Willis's aphasia?

PPA, the disease that actor Bruce Willis has, is a rare and lesser-known neurological condition. It is caused by changes in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, which are largely responsible for language and executive functioning.

Why does Bruce Willis talk like that?

A language disorder with an unusual name – aphasia – entered the popular lexicon two years ago after actor Bruce Willis was diagnosed with a type of the disease that gradually robs a person's ability to communicate.

Does Bruce Willis have a speech impediment?

Willis' struggle with stuttering is inspirational. Unfortunately, it is rarely mentioned in interviews. However, by identifying himself as a person who stutters, Willis has an opportunity to put a human face on the daily struggle stuttering often presents.

How long has Bruce Willis had aphasia for?

Willis, famous for his roles in dozens of movies, including “Die Hard,” “Pulp Fiction,” “Looper” and “The Sixth Sense,” was diagnosed with aphasia in March 2022.

Bruce Willis Diagnosed With Frontotemporal Dementia

What caused Bruce Willis' frontotemporal dementia?

The cause of FTD is not yet fully understood, but researchers agree it is linked to a build-up of abnormal proteins in the brain. Aphasia is a common symptom of FTD, and this is what Bruce Willis' family reported in an initial social media post early last year.

Is Bruce Willis aphasia Treatable?

For the most part, aphasia is a treatable language and speech disorder, associated with stroke and other kinds of brain injury, and can be treated with speech, language, and cognitive therapy.

Is aphasia a form of dementia?

This condition progresses slowly. People who have primary progressive aphasia may continue caring for themselves and participating in daily activities for several years. Primary progressive aphasia is a type of frontotemporal dementia.

Did Bruce Willis get aphasia from a head injury?

Initially, reports surfaced that Willis' aphasia may have been linked to a head injury he sustained in 2002 while doing his own stunts. The connection between head injuries and dementia is not yet well understood for FTD, said Dr.

Does Bruce Willis have schizophrenia?

Frontotemporal dementia is a group of disorders that occur when nerve cells in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain are lost. Bruce Willis is diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia.

Did Bruce Willis get aphasia from a stroke?

Aphasia can occur for a variety of reasons (most commonly stroke) but for Willis, it is now clear that these speech problems were the early signs of this particularly devastating form of dementia.

How old is Emma Heming, Bruce Willis's wife?

Bruce Willis, 68, and his wife Emma Heming Willis, 45, have been married for over a decade. In 2009, the "Die Hard" actor and the former model tied the knot and later welcomed their daughters Mabel and Evelyn. Willis shares his three older daughters — Rumer, Scout and Tallulah — with his ex-wife Demi Moore.

What is the life expectancy of someone with frontotemporal dementia?

Someone with FTD will get worse as time goes on. The average life span for someone with FTD is 7 to 13 years after the start of symptoms. But, many factors play into a person's life expectancy. Some people with FDT may live 20 years after the onset of the disease.

How long can you live with frontotemporal dementia?

People with FTD typically live six to eight years with their condition, sometimes longer, sometimes less. Most people die of problems related to advanced disease.

What are three signs of Lewy body dementia?

How did Bruce Willis get a head injury?

According to the special effects guy, Willis and three other actors were firing off hundreds of rounds of blanks from their automatic rifles and a 'hot shell casing' hit the actor in the forehead. In the film, Willis played the role of Lt.

How does aphasia steal the ability to communicate?

Aphasia is a constellation of symptoms that make it difficult or impossible to express or comprehend language. The disorder stems from damage to the parts of the brain that are responsible for language functions, which are typically housed on the left side of the brain.

What is the 5 word test?

Introduction: The five-word test (5WT) is a serial verbal memory test with semantic cuing. It is proposed to rapidly evaluate memory of aging people and has previously shown its sensitivity and its specificity in identifying patients with AD.

Can alcohol cause aphasia?

Aphasia can also be caused by substance abuse, either short-term (with drink or drugs temporarily affecting the parts of the brain related to language) or long-term (with actual damage to the brain caused by the repeated consumption of high quantities of a given substance or substances.

Can a person recover from aphasia?

Some people with aphasia fully recover without treatment. But for most people, some amount of aphasia typically remains. Speech therapy can often help recover some speech and language functions over time. But many people continue to have problems communicating.

How old was Bruce Willis when he was diagnosed with FTD?

Today, the family of Bruce Willis announced that the 67-year-old actor has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), also known as frontotemporal degeneration. FTD is the most common dementia for people under 60, although it can also affect those in their 60s, 70s, or beyond.

Who is most likely to get aphasia?

Who can acquire aphasia? Most people who have aphasia are middle-aged or older, but anyone can acquire it, including young children. About 1 million people in the United States currently have aphasia, and nearly 180,000 Americans acquire it each year, according to the National Aphasia Association.

Who was recently diagnosed with aphasia?

In March 2022, the family of Bruce Willis, beloved actor known for his roles in “Die Hard,” “Pulp Fiction,” and many more, announced that he would be stepping away from acting due to a diagnosis of aphasia.

What celebrities have frontotemporal dementia?

Wendy William's care team announced Thursday that the talk show host was diagnosed with aphasia and frontotemporal dementia, adding to the list of celebrities who suffer from the aphasia. The announcement drew comparisons to Bruce Willis who also suffers from both aphasia and frontotemporal dementia.