Pick's disease

What is Pick's Disease?

Pick's disease, also known as frontotemporal dementia (FTD), is a rare and irreversible form of dementia that affects the frontal lobe and temporal lobe of the brain [3]. It was first described by Arnold Pick in 1892 [4].

Symptoms of Pick's Disease

The symptoms of Pick's disease can vary from person to person, but they often include:

• Abrupt mood changes
• Decreased interest in daily living activities
• Failure to recognize changes in behavior
• Failure to show emotional warmth
• Personality changes
• Speech difficulties

These symptoms are a result of the abnormal accumulation of tau protein and other substances inside nerve cells in the damaged areas of the brain [5].

Causes and Progression

Pick's disease is caused by the progressive loss of mental function due to the damage to the frontal lobe and temporal lobe. It is a taupathy, characterized by the accumulation of abnormal tau protein in the brain [8]. The disease is irreversible and can lead to a significant decline in a person's functioning over time [9].

References

[3] Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is one of the less common types of dementia. It is sometimes called Pick's disease or frontal lobe dementia. [4] Frontotemporal dementia used to be called Pick's disease after Arnold Pick, M.D., a physician who in 1892 first described a patient with distinct symptoms ... [5] People with FTD have abnormal substances (called tangles, Pick bodies, Pick cells, and tau proteins) inside nerve cells in the damaged areas of the brain. [8] Nov 18, 2019 — Pick disease is a taupathy, with accumulation of abnormal tau protein in the brain. Tau protein is a highly soluble microtubule-associated ... [9] Feb 5, 2024 — Pick's disease is a specific type of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) that causes an irreversible decline in a person's functioning over a period ...

Pick's Disease Signs and Symptoms

Pick's disease, also known as frontotemporal dementia (FTD), is a rare neurodegenerative disorder that affects the brain's frontal and temporal lobes. The symptoms of Pick's disease can vary from person to person, but they often include:

• Behavioral symptoms:
  • Impulsivity and poor judgment [4]
  • Extreme restlessness (early stages) [4]
  • Compulsive behaviors such as tapping, clapping, or smacking lips over and over [3]
  • A decline in personal hygiene [3]
  • Changes in eating habits [3]
• Emotional symptoms:
  • Mood swings
  • Emotional instability
  • Decreased empathy
• Cognitive symptoms:
  • Difficulty with planning and organization [6]
  • Memory problems [6]
  • Getting distracted easily [6]
• Motor symptoms:
  • Slowed movement, stiffness, and balance problems (similar to Parkinson's disease) [7]

It's worth noting that the symptoms of Pick's disease can be similar to those of other neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease. However, the progression of the disease is typically slower in Pick's disease.

References:

[1] WebMD - Causes and Symptoms of Pick's Disease (Apr 6, 2023) [2] Compulsive behaviors and changes in eating habits are mentioned in [3] [3] Nov 28, 2023 - Compulsive behaviors such as tapping, clapping, or smacking lips over and over. A decline in personal hygiene. Changes in eating habits. [4] Feb 5, 2024 - Signs and symptoms of Pick's disease or FTD [5] It is sometimes called Pick's disease or frontal lobe dementia. [6] Symptoms of frontotemporal dementia​​ problems with mental abilities – getting distracted easily, struggling with planning and organisation. memory problems – [7] Jul 30, 2021 - Symptoms include movement problems similar to those of Parkinson's disease, such as slowed movement, stiffness, and balance problems, and ... [8] Mar 23, 2022 - The symptoms of Pick's disease worsen slowly. They may include difficulty speaking, behavioral problems, and an impaired ability to think

Diagnosing Pick's Disease: A Comprehensive Overview

Pick's disease, also known as Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD), is a rare neurodegenerative disorder that affects the brain's frontal and temporal lobes. Diagnosing this condition can be challenging, but various tests and examinations can help confirm the diagnosis.

Physical Exam and Medical History A complete physical exam, including taking a medical history, is essential in diagnosing Pick's disease [8]. A doctor will perform a thorough examination to rule out other conditions that may present similar symptoms. This includes checking for any early warning signs, such as an enlarged liver or spleen [5].

Diagnostic Tests Several diagnostic tests can help confirm the diagnosis of Pick's disease:

• Blood tests: To rule out other conditions, such as liver or kidney disease, blood tests may be necessary [3].
• Sleep study: A sleep study may also be conducted to assess any sleep-related symptoms.
• Genetic tests: Genetic tests can find mutations known to cause FTD and support the diagnosis [6].
• Brain biopsy: Although rare, a brain biopsy can confirm the diagnosis of Pick's disease. However, this is usually not necessary as the diagnosis can often be made based on other tests and examinations.

Neurological Examination A thorough neurological examination is also crucial in diagnosing Pick's disease [7]. This includes assessing cognitive function, behavior, language, and other mental functions using pencil and paper tests [4].

It's essential to note that a definitive diagnosis of Pick's disease can only be made upon brain autopsy based on the presence of its neuropathological hallmarks [9].

References:

[1] Context 8 [2] Context 5 [3] Context 3 [4] Context 4 [5] Context 5 [6] Context 6 [7] Context 7 [8] Context 8 [9] Context 9

Medication Options for Pick's Disease

While there is no known treatment for Pick's disease, a rare form of frontotemporal dementia (FTD), medications can help alleviate some of the symptoms associated with this condition.

• Depression and Apathy: Antidepressant medications such as citalopram or sertraline may be prescribed to manage depression and apathy in patients with Pick's disease [7].
• Agitation and Aggression: Medications like olanzapine (Zyprexa) or quetiapine (Seroquel), which are typically used to treat behavioral symptoms of FTD, may also be used to manage agitation and aggression in Pick's disease patients [2].
• Cognitive Symptoms: Cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine, which are symptomatic therapies for Alzheimer's disease (AD), have been explored as possible treatments for the cognitive symptoms of FTD, including Pick's disease [8].

It is essential to note that these medications may not slow down the progression of the disease but can help manage specific symptoms. A healthcare provider should be consulted to determine the best course of treatment for an individual with Pick's disease.

References: [1] Not applicable [2] Nov 28, 2023 [7] Jul 9, 2021 [8] by GA Kerchner · 2011 · Cited by 65

Differential diagnosis of Pick's disease involves ruling out other neurodegenerative diseases that may present similar symptoms.

• Frontotemporal dementia (FTD): As a type of FTD, Pick's disease shares similarities with other forms of the condition, such as semantic variant primary progressive aphasia (svPPA) and non-fluent variant primary progressive aphasia (nfvPPA). These conditions also involve progressive disruption in verbal and written expression, making differential diagnosis challenging [4].
• Other neurodegenerative diseases: Pick's disease may overlap with other neurodegenerative diseases that affect the frontal lobe, such as Alzheimer's disease. However, the symptoms of Pick's disease are distinct from those of Alzheimer's disease, which typically involves memory loss and cognitive decline.
• Clinical differential diagnosis: Clinicians use a combination of clinical evaluation, laboratory tests, and imaging studies to rule out other conditions that may mimic the symptoms of Pick's disease [3].
• Difficulty in defining a positive family history: The high percentage of differential diagnosis for PiD complicates the definition of a positive family history for the disease. This makes it challenging to identify individuals who are at risk of developing Pick's disease based on their family history.

References:

[1] Context result 3 [2] Context result 5