Craving sweet, fatty, or carb-heavy foods and even forgetting table manners could be an early sign of frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a rare but impactful form of dementia. While Alzheimer’s steals memories, FTD reshapes personality, eroding social filters and even changing taste preferences. Patients may compulsively crave junk food, forget basic manners, or consume alcohol and cigarettes without restraint, according to Alzheimer’s UK.
Dementia is the UK’s leading cause of death, claiming around 67,000 lives annually. To accelerate research, Formula One legend Sir Jackie Stewart founded Race Against Dementia after his wife, Lady Helen, was diagnosed with FTD in 2014. Scientists, including Dr. Cara Croft, are hopeful for a breakthrough treatment within the next decade. Sir Jackie, 85, has shared heartbreaking moments, like when his wife of 60 years recently asked, “Where’s Jackie?” no longer recognising him. Her condition has worsened over the years, leaving her unable to walk independently. Through his charity, Sir Jackie is funding a Cambridge University trial aiming to detect FTD years before symptoms appear, offering hope for early intervention.
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