Back in March 2022, the family of actor Bruce Willis announced he was “stepping away” from acting after being diagnosed with aphasia. Now, he has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, his family says.
Bruce Willis newly diagnosed with dementia
Actor Bruce Willis, whose family announced he was “stepping away” from acting after being diagnosed with aphasia, has received a new diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia, of which there is currently no treatment for the disease.
“Unfortunately, challenges with communication are just one symptom of the disease Bruce faces,” the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration shared in a statement from the Willis family. “While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis.”
“Today there are no treatments for the disease, a reality that we hope can change in the years ahead,” the statement added.
“Bruce always believed in using his voice in the world to help others, and to raise awareness about important issues both publicly and privately,” a statement signed by the Willis family said, adding that they hoped media attention would raise awareness. “We know in our hearts that – if he could today – he would want to respond by bringing global attention and a connectedness with those who are also dealing with this debilitating disease and how it impacts so many individuals and their families.”
What is frontotemporal dementia?
Frontotemporal dementia is the most common form of dementia for people under 60, but can also affect people who are older, and being diagnosed can often take years, according to the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, BuzzFeed reported.
Dementia describes the impact of brain disease on memory, language and thinking skills. Common causes of dementia include Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, and dementia with Lewy bodies, BBC reported.
After diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia, people live 8-10 years on average; however, some people live much longer.
Willis gave up acting last year due to aphasia
Last March, Willis’ family issued a statement that the “Die Hard” actor would be stepping away from the profession after being diagnosed with aphasia.
“To Bruce’s amazing supporters, as a family we wanted to share that our beloved Bruce has been experiencing some health issues and has recently been diagnosed with aphasia, which is impacting his cognitive abilities,” the statement issued last March read, as per The Hollywood Reporter. “As a result of this and with much consideration, Bruce is stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him.”
What is aphasia?
Aphasia is a condition which affects the ability to understand or express spoken and written language, according to the Mayo Clinic.
While there is no cure for aphasia, the condition can be treated. The main treatment is speech therapy. However, the underlying cause must be treated first. The condition is often triggered by a stroke or head injury, but it may develop slowly from a brain tumor or disease.
