Right Temporal Variant of Frontotemporal Dementia: A Clinical Introduction

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a progressive, neurodegenerative syndrome that results in changes in personality, behavior, and language. The right temporal variant, a relatively under-studied and perhaps under-diagnosed clinical subtype of FTD, manifests as behavioral changes, loss of person-specific knowledge, and eventual deficits in word-finding and semantic knowledge. Thorough assessment is necessary in order to distinguish right temporal variant FTD from other dementias. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) play an essential role in accurate diagnosis, provision of appropriate resources and referrals, and administration of effective treatments.