Bruce Willis diagnosed with dementia, family announces
Bruce Willis has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, known as FTD, his family announced Thursday.
The actor's family first announced that he was diagnosed with aphasia in spring 2022.
"Since we announced Bruce's diagnosis of aphasia in spring 2022, Bruce's condition has progressed and we now have a more specific diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia (known as FTD)," the statement said. "Unfortunately, challenges with communication are just one symptom of the disease Bruce faces. While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis."
The official statement, which was shared on the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration website, added that FTD is a "cruel disease."
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"For people under 60, FTD is the most common form of dementia, and because getting the diagnosis can take years, FTD is likely much more prevalent than we know," the Willis and Moore families said. "Today there are no treatments for the disease, a reality that we hope can change in the years ahead. As Bruce's condition advances, we hope that any media attention can be focused on shining a light on this disease that needs far more awareness and research."
FTD currently has no cure, according to AFTD.
"As Bruce's condition advances, we hope that any media attention can be focused on shining a light on this disease that needs far more awareness and research," the families said in the statement.
The Willis family ended by directing those with FTD to the AFTD's website for support and encouraged others to learn about the disease.
Editor's Note: This story has been updated to clarify that Bruce Willis' prior diagnosis of aphasia did not progress into frontotemporal dementia. Aphasia, a disease characterized by loss of speech and comprehension, is a symptom of frontotemporal dementia.
Bruce Willis diagnosed with dementia, family announces originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com
