The Neuropsychiatric Features of Behavioral Variant Frontotemporal Dementia

Behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) is a syndrome defined by a set of core clinical criteria, which include disinhibition; apathy or inertia; loss of sympathy or empathy; perseverative, stereotyped, or compulsive/ritualistic behavior; and hyperorality. The clinical features of bvFTD overlap substantially with those of psychiatric disease, particularly major depressive disorder and bipolar affective disorder. The similarities between bvFTD and primary psychiatric disease results in a significant diagnostic challenge for clinicians. Understanding the neuropsychiatric aspects of bvFTD may assist in differentiating bvFTD from a primary psychiatric disorder.