Factors predicting loss of independence and mortality in frontotemporal lobar degeneration.

Frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) is a complex clinicopathological concept comprising several fatal neurodegenerative diseases. Clinically, behavioural change, language impairment, semantic memory deficits, motor neuron signs, parkinsonism and apraxia can develop in various orders.1 2 Pathologically, tau, transactive response DNA-binding protein 43 kDa and fused in sarcoma are major components of diagnostic lesions of various pathological disease entities. Such clinicopathological complexity may make predicting a longitudinal course difficult in the early stage. On the other hand, most families hope to know the details of the course of a disease and to get practical advice helpful for their life. Researchers also have had a strong interest in this issue.3 4 Murley et al 5 used a transdiagnostic approach to survival in an epidemiological cohort in the UK, examining the association between clinical …