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Episode 84 | Behavioral Variant Frontotemporal Dementia – With Dr. Bruce Miller


Overview

This episode is a discussion of behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD). We first talk about overlap and differences between the various FTD spectrum conditions. Next, we cover the following topics specific to bvFTD: neuropathology, genetics, and neuroimaging, phenocopy syndrome, the classic clinical and behavioral syndrome, cognitive profile, and treatment options.



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Bruce Miller
Instructor Credentials

Bruce L. Miller, MD, holds the A.W. and Mary Margaret Clausen Distinguished Professorship in Neurology at the University of California, San Francisco, directs the UCSF Memory and Aging Center and is a director of the Global Brain Health Institute. He is the principal investigator of the NIH-sponsored Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and program project grant on frontotemporal dementia. In addition, he helps lead the Tau Consortium and the Bluefield Foundation, precision medicine collaborations focused on developing treatments for tauopathies and progranulin-mediated forms of frontotemporal dementia.

Miller is a behavioral neurologist who studies the underlying mechanisms of neurocognitive disorders and is a world-renowned expert in the diagnosis and management of dementia. Until recently, most cases of dementia were classified as Alzheimer’s disease with little awareness of the importance of non-Alzheimer dementias. Miller’s description of changes in behavior, language and emotion in the setting of aging have improved the separation of various neurodegenerative diseases from one another, in particular, Alzheimer’s disease from frontotemporal dementia. To support people after diagnosis, Miller has pioneered groundbreaking changes in the provision of care coordination for patients with dementia and their caregivers. His ongoing work includes overseeing a healthy aging study and an artist-in-residence program, both of which emphasize positive aspects of aging.

Miller has been featured in Fortune Magazine, the New York Times, 60 Minutes, the Charlie Rose Show and the PBS Newshour. He has authored more than 800 publications and written several books: The Human Frontal Lobes, The Behavioral Neurology of Dementia and Frontotemporal Dementia. He has received many awards including the Potamkin Award from the American Academy of Neurology, the Elliot Royer Award from the San Francisco Neurological community, the UCSF Academic Senate Distinction in Mentoring Award and the Robert A. Fishman Award and Lecture. In 2016, Miller was elected to the National Academy of Medicine.


Topics Covered
  • Neuropathology
  • Genetics and Neuroimaging
  • Phenocopy Syndrome
  • The Classic Clinical and Behavioral Syndrome
  • Cognitive Profile
  • Treatment Options
Educational Objectives
  • Describe typical neuropathology and neuroimaging findings in behavioral variant FTD.
  • List and explain behavioral variant FTD clinical syndrome and cognitive profile.
  • Apply knowledge from this podcast episode in clinical evaluations, including interviewing, test selection, diagnosis, recommendations, and feedback.
Target Audience
  • Introductory
Availability
  • Date Available: 2021-12-01
  • You may obtain CE for this podcast at any time.
Offered for CE
  • Yes
Cost
  • Members $20
  • Non-Members $25
Refund Policy
  • This podcast is not eligible for refunds
CE Credits
  • 1.5 Credit(s)
Disclosures
  • None
Bibliography
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  • Liljegren, M., Naasan, G., Temlett, J., Perry, D. C., Rankin, K. P., Merrilees, J., Grinberg, L. T., Seeley, W. W., Englund, E., & Miller, B. L. (2015, Mar). Criminal behavior in frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer disease. JAMA Neurology, 72(3), 295-300. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaneurol.2014.3781
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  • Ljubenkov, P. A., Staffaroni, A. M., Rojas, J. C., Allen, I. E., Wang, P., Heuer, H., Karydas, A., Kornak, J., Cobigo, Y., Seeley, W. W., Grinberg, L. T., Spina, S., Fagan, A. M., Jerome, G., Knopman, D., Boeve, B. F., Dickerson, B. C., Kramer, J., Miller, … Rosen, H. J. (2018, Oct). Cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers predict frontotemporal dementia trajectory. Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology, 5(10), 1250-1263. https://doi.org/10.1002/acn3.643
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  • Takeda, A., Sturm, V. E., Rankin, K. P., Ketelle, R., Miller, B. L., & Perry, D. C. (2019, Jul-Sep). Relationship Turmoil and Emotional Empathy in Frontotemporal Dementia. Alzheimer Disease & Associated Disorders, 33(3), 260-265. https://doi.org/10.1097/WAD.0000000000000317
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  • Younes, K., & Miller, B. L. (2020, 2020/06/01/). Frontotemporal Dementia: Neuropathology, Genetics, Neuroimaging, and Treatments. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 43(2), 331-344. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psc.2020.02.006
  • Younes, K., & Miller, B. L. (2020, 2020/06/01/). Neuropsychiatric Aspects of Frontotemporal Dementia. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 43(2), 345-360. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psc.2020.02.005
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