Has someone close to you, perhaps your mother, father, or spouse, suddenly started acting differently? Is he or she suddenly irritable? Or is he or she making irrational, inconsistent decisions? Many of us, upon seeing these symptoms, immediately assume that this is Alzheimer's disease. True, it is a common condition. However, while there are similarities to Alzheimer's disease, there is a different, but much less common, condition. Today we are talking about Pick's Disease.
Simply put, what is Pick's Disease?
Pick's disease is a type of dementia . Dementia, as you know, is a condition that affects things like memory, thinking, and behavior. It's very similar to Alzheimer's disease, but it's much less common. This disease mainly affects the parts of the brain that control our emotions, behavior, personality, and ability to speak . Doctors also call it `Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD).` That means the front and side parts of the brain are damaged.
Imagine that our brain has a system of railroad tracks that transport nutrients back and forth. To keep these tracks straight, like train tracks, a special type of protein helps. We call these tau proteins .
In the brain of someone with Pick's disease, these tau proteins don't work properly. They clump together and form clumps. We call these abnormal protein clumps Pick bodies . These Pick bodies cause the train tracks to become tangled and derail. Then the brain cells don't get the nutrients they need, and they gradually die. The damage to the brain in this way is irreversible, permanent.
This disease is usually diagnosed between the ages of 40 and 75. However, it can sometimes develop in someone as young as 20 years old.
Is there a specific reason for this disease?
This is a problem that many people have. In fact, about 25% of people with this disease, or about one in four, inherit it from their parents . That means there is a genetic predisposition that runs in families.
But doctors still haven't figured out exactly why the other 75% develop it. Research is still ongoing.
What are the symptoms we should be concerned about?
These protein clumps, called Pick bodies, form mainly in the frontal lobe and temporal lobes of the brain. These are the parts that control our behavior, personality, and speech. Therefore, the symptoms are most noticeable in these areas.
The important thing is that in Pick's disease, changes in behavior and personality begin to appear first, rather than memory loss like in Alzheimer's disease.
Let's divide these features into two parts to understand them clearly.
| Main symptom categories | |
|---|---|
| 1. Changes in behavior and personality | |
| Being aggressive towards others | A person who used to be very peaceful suddenly starts fighting with others and getting angry. |
| Loss of interest | They lose interest in daily activities and hobbies. They show a "no" attitude towards everything. |
| Making arbitrary decisions | They make rash, hasty decisions without thinking about anything or caring about the consequences. |
| Loss of compassion | They are unable to understand or show compassion for the pain and suffering of others. They behave like a callous person. |
| Inconsistent behavior | Saying or doing things that are inappropriate for society or the place you live in. You can behave without shame. |
| Excessive appetite | Some people experience excessive hunger, especially when it comes to sweet foods. |
| 2. Speech and language problems | |
| Forgetting words | The names of common objects like chair, table, and pen fail to come to mind. |
| Story twist | When speaking, they can't find the right words, they stop halfway, and they stutter. |
| Difficulty understanding what is written | Even a simple sentence in a book or newspaper can be difficult to read and understand. |
In addition to these main symptoms, the following symptoms may also sometimes be seen:
- Memory loss (as the disease progresses)
- Difficulty walking
- Muscle weakness or stiffness
- Difficulty controlling urine
What is the difference between Pick's disease and Alzheimer's disease?
Many people confuse the two because both are types of dementia. However, there are clear differences. Knowing these differences can help in early diagnosis.
| Characteristic | Pick's Disease | Alzheimer's Disease |
|---|---|---|
| Main original feature | Changes in behavior and personality | Forgetting recent things |
| Age at diagnosis | Usually at a younger age (40-60) | Usually older (65+) |
| Language problems | Problems with understanding words and speaking occur early on | Occurs when the disease is exacerbated |
| Hallucinations | Rarely seen | May occur later in the disease |
| Confusing roads | Less likely to get lost in familiar places | A very common symptom. |
How to diagnose the disease?
When you go to see your doctor about these symptoms, he or she will first listen carefully to your symptoms. Then, they will do some special tests to check the patient's memory, behavior, and language skills. These tests usually include questions and tests like drawing.
In addition, the doctor may recommend several other tests to confirm the disease.
- Blood tests: A DNA test can be done to see if there is a gene associated with Pick's disease.
- Brain scans:
- MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Scan: This helps to take detailed pictures of the brain to see if the front and sides of the brain are shrunken.
- SPECT or PET scan: These scans help to see which parts of the brain are more or less active.
- Lumbar Puncture: A sample of spinal fluid can be taken and the level of tau proteins can be tested.
What are the treatments for this?
This is the hardest part to hear. To be honest, there is no cure for Pick's disease . And there is no cure to slow the progression of the disease. The disease progresses slowly. Some people live with the disease for 10 years or more.
However, that doesn't mean there's nothing you can do. There are treatments that can help manage symptoms and make life easier for the patient and their caregivers.
- Behavioral therapy: Behavioral therapy can help control aggressive, dangerous behavior.
- Medication: Your doctor may prescribe medications, such as certain antidepressants, to control symptoms such as agitation, aggression, and depression.
All of this should be decided by your doctor. He is the one who decides what treatments are most suitable for the patient and how they should be given. Therefore, it is very important to never make decisions alone and to act on medical advice.
Take-Home Message
- Pick's Disease is a different type of dementia than Alzheimer's disease, in which changes in behavior and speech begin to appear before memory loss.
- If you notice a sudden change in the personality of someone close to you, such as anger, or antisocial behavior, don't ignore it.
- Although this disease cannot be completely cured, there are treatments to manage symptoms and improve the patient's quality of life.
- If a loved one has these symptoms, it is important to seek advice from a qualified doctor as soon as possible. A correct diagnosis will lead to the right management.
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