Pick's disease is a rare and irreversible form of dementia. It causes personality changes, loss of social skills, loss of intellectual function, and speech disturbances.
In some ways, Pick's disease is similar to Alzheimer's disease. However, Pick's disease tends to affect only certain areas of the brain, while Alzheimer's can affect any part.
It is the early appearance of a personality changes that help distinguish Pick's disease from Alzheimer's. (Memory loss is often the main symptom of Alzheimer's.) People with Pick's disease tend to behave inappropriately in different social settings. The changes in behavior continue to get worse and are often one of the most disturbing symptoms of the disease.
Pick's disease is rare. It is more common in women than men. It may occur in people as young as 20, but usually begins between ages 40 and 60. The average age of onset is 54.
The disease can progress slowly. Over time, the tissues in two parts of the brain (the temporal and frontal lobes) shrink. This shrinking is called atrophy. Symptoms such as behavioral changes, speech difficulty, and impaired intellect occur gradually, but continue to get worse.
People with Pick's disease have abnormalities called Pick bodies and Pick cells inside nerve cells in the damaged areas of the brain. Pick bodies and Pick cells contain an abnormal form of a protein called tau. This protein is found in all nerve cells. But some people with Pick's disease have an abnormal amount or type of tau. The exact cause of these abnormalities is unknown.
A genetic basis for the disease has not yet been determined. Most cases of Pick's disease are not inherited.
Behavior changes
Emotional changes
Language changes
Neurological problems
Other problems
The doctor will ask you about your medical history and symptoms.
Tests may be ordered to help rule out other causes of dementia, including dementia due to metabolic causes. A neurological examination can help reveal what part of the brain is affected. Psychological studies and tests of sensation, cognitive function, and motor function may be abnormal.
It is important to note that the definitive diagnosis can only be made with a brain biopsy. However, ongoing efforts are directed at developing a biological marker that would allow a firm diagnosis without the need for such an invasive procedure.
There is no proven effective treatment for Pick's disease.
Depending on the symptoms and how bad the disease is, the patient may need monitoring and help with personal hygiene and self-care. Eventually, there may be a need for 24-hour care and monitoring at home or in an institutionalized care setting. Family counseling may help in coping with the changes required for home care.
Visiting nurses or aides, volunteer services, homemakers, adult protective services, and other community resources may be helpful in caring for the person. In some communities, there may be access to support groups (such as the Alzheimer's - support group, elder care - support group, or others).
In some cases, cognitive function may be improved by stopping or changing medications that worsen confusion or that are not essential to the care of the person. This may include medications such as anticholinergics, analgesics, cimetidine, central nervous system depressants, and lidocaine.
Disorders that contribute to confusion should be treated. These may include heart failure, decreased oxygen (hypoxia), thyroid disorders, anemia, nutritional disorders, infections, and psychiatric conditions such as depression. Treating any medical and psychiatric disorders often helps improve mental function.
Medications may be needed to control aggressive, dangerous, or agitated behaviors.
Some patients may need hearing-aids, glasses, cataract surgery, or other treatments.
Behavior modification may help some people control unacceptable or dangerous behaviors. This consists of rewarding appropriate or positive behaviors and ignoring inappropriate behaviors (when it's safe to do so).
Formal psychotherapy treatment doesn't always work, because it may cause further confusion or disorientation.
Reality orientation, with repeated reinforcement of environmental and other cues, may help reduce disorientation.
Legal advice may be appropriate early in the course of the disorder. Advance directives, power of attorney, and other legal actions can make it easier to make ethical decisions regarding the care of the person with Pick's disease.
The probable outcome is poor. The disorder progresses steadily and relatively rapidly. Total disability occurs early. Commonly, Pick's disease results in death within 2 to 10 years, usually from infection and occasionally from general failure of body systems.
Call your health care provider if symptoms of Pick's disease develop.
Call your health care provider or go to the emergency room if acute deterioration in mental function occurs (this symptom may indicate development of another disorder).
There is no known prevention for this rare disorder.
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