Welcome to the MGH FTD Unit
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The MGH Frontotemporal Disorders (FTD) Unit has at its core a
multidisciplinary clinic in which comprehensive evaluations are performed
for the purposes of diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring.
The evaluation typically involves a neurologic assessment, neuropsychologic
assessment, speech and language assessment, and potentially additional
assessments by neuropsychiatry and social work. There are often tests
ordered as well as brain scans and similar procedures. The evaluation is
tailored to the individual, but many of these components are performed
with each person.
Typically, one or more persons who know the patient well are interviewed in
detail to find out more about the symptoms that are present in daily life.
This is often done initially as a telephone intake and subsequently in
person during one or more visits.
At the clinic evaluation, a behavioral neurology/neuropsychiatry fellow
(a
neurologist or psychiatrist in advanced training focusing on dementia and related conditions)
will obtain the history in detail, performan an examination of the patient, review records, and
together with one of our faculty neurologists will
make recommendations for further evaluation if necessary. For many patients, a speech-language
pathologist or trainee will also evaluate the patient and/or interview the care partner. A member
of our care partner support team will meet with the family member(s) or other care partner(s).
The various specialists who perform the evaluations then will discuss the
results together as a team and try to come to a consensus regarding the
diagnosis, and will also make recommendations for treatment, management,
planning, and monitoring.
Ongoing care can then be coordinated by the MGH FTD Unit or in conjunction
with specialists who have already been working with the patient.
To inquire about an appointment, email us at MGHFTDUnit@mgh.harvard.edu or
call 617-726-1728.
The MGH FTD Unit aims to develop better
knowledge about and diagnosis and treatment of all forms of FTD and
related focal dementia syndromes. The PPA Program aims to better
understand and treat primary progressive aphasia syndromes using existing
technologies (including speech therapy) and by developing new diagnostic
and treatment technologies.
To obtain medical records, please follow the directions below: