Bruce Willis has been identified with frontotemporal dementia, household says

Actor Bruce Willis has been identified with frontotemporal dementia, “a merciless illness,” his household stated in a statement posted on Thursday to the web site of the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration. Willis was initially identified with aphasia final 12 months.  His household stated on the time that he was “stepping away” from his appearing profession in consequence.

“As a household, we wished to take this chance to thanks all for the outpouring of affection and compassion for Bruce over the previous ten months. Your generosity of spirit has been overwhelming, and we’re tremendously grateful for it,” the household stated Thursday, earlier than giving an replace on Willis’ situation. 

“Since we introduced Bruce’s prognosis of aphasia in spring 2022, Bruce’s situation has progressed and we now have a extra particular prognosis: frontotemporal dementia (often known as FTD),” continued the assertion.

“Challenges with communication” are one of many signs Willis faces with FTD, which is the commonest type of dementia in individuals underneath 60 — with most FTD circumstances occurring between the ages of 45 and 64, in keeping with the AFTD. The illness is probably going extra frequent than statistics recommend, as it’s lesser identified and might take years to obtain a proper prognosis. 

FTD is a degenerative mind dysfunction characterised by deterioration of the frontal and/or temporal lobes, in keeping with the AFTD. Symptoms might embrace “uncharacteristic character modifications, apathy, and unexplained struggles with decision-making, talking or language comprehension are among the many most typical presenting signs.”

While there may be presently neither a remedy nor therapies accessible for the situation, the Willis household writes that they hope to assist change this.

“As Bruce’s situation advances, we hope that any media consideration might be targeted on shining a lightweight on this illness that wants way more consciousness and analysis,” including that Willis has all the time believed in utilizing his voice to boost consciousness and assist others, each out and in of the general public eye.

“Bruce has all the time discovered pleasure in life — and has helped everybody he is aware of to do the identical,” the assertion concluded. “Your continued compassion, understanding, and respect will allow us to assist Bruce reside as full a life as doable.”

The letter was signed by Willis’ 5 daughters, Rumer, Scout, Tallulah, Mabel, and Evelyn; his spouse, Emma Heming Willis; and his ex-wife, Demi Moore.