Which feature is more typical of frontotemporal dementia in the early course than in Alzheimer's?

• A. Early behavioral or language changes.
• B. Early memory impairment.
• C. Early visuospatial deficits.
• D. Early motor symptoms as the first sign.

Answer: (A)

Frontotemporal dementia tends to start in the frontal and anterior temporal regions, which control behavior and language. Because of that, early changes in personality, social conduct, or language abilities—such as disinhibition, apathy, loss of empathy, or word-finding and semantic problems—are common and stand out in the initial years. In Alzheimer's disease, the first symptoms are typically memory-related, due to early hippocampal involvement, with memory impairment taking the lead before problems with behavior or language. Visuospatial difficulties or motor signs can appear later in both conditions, but they are not the hallmark of the early course in FTD. So, early behavioral or language changes are more typical of frontotemporal dementia.