Wendy Williams Diagnosis: Understanding Primary Progressive Aphasia​ and Frontotemporal Dementia

Wendy Williams has been diagnosed with progressive health conditions called primary progressive aphasia (PPA) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). These conditions affect how she talks, communicates, and behaves.

The announcement of Williams’ diagnosis was made by her team on February 22, 2024, via a press release, to counter inaccurate rumors about her health.

The 59-year-old talk show host to “The Wendy Williams Show” since 2018, had in the 2020 media reports faced reports of health challenges, including struggles with speech and cognitive decline, as shown in the newly released documentary “Where Is Wendy Williams?”

These issues were compounded by her battles with lymphedema and Grave’s disease which she has been open about before now. In 2021, She took a break from her talk show to address her health problems. So, in 2022 it was announced that someone else would take over her role in the show.

Her team noted that she was diagnosed with Progressive Aphasia and Frontotemporal Dementia in 2023 after undergoing lots of medical tests, and that the decision to disclose her condition was difficult but was made to promote understanding, compassion, and awareness regarding aphasia, frontotemporal dementia, and similar challenges faced by many people.

“The decision to share this news was difficult and made after careful consideration,” they wrote, “not only to advocate for understanding and compassion for Wendy but to raise awareness about aphasia and frontotemporal dementia and support the thousands of others facing similar circumstances.”

According to her team, Williams is currently under medical care at Weill Cornell Medicine, where her well-being is cared for while she maintains some level of independence.

Understanding Primary Progressive Aphasia(PPA) and Frontotemporal Dementia(FTD)?

Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is a progressive neurological disorder characterized by gradual deterioration of the brain regions responsible for speech and language functions. Individuals affected by PPA typically experience challenges in their ability to communicate including verbal expression, naming objects, and understanding conversations.

Unlike typical forms of aphasia, which are often caused by stroke or brain injury, PPA is a gradual and progressive condition.

On the other hand, Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) comprises a group of similar disorders arising from the gradual breakdown of the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is the second most common cause of dementia following Alzheimer’s disease (AD)

Since these brain regions regulate functions such as decision-making, regulation of behavior, emotional processing, and language abilities. frontotemporal dementia primarily manifests with changes in personality, behavior, and language.

While PPA can manifest as speech difficulties initially, FTD may affect memory, reasoning, and behavior. Risks for these conditions persist despite efforts to lead a healthy lifestyle.

There is no known cure for these progressive conditions. However, medications and lifestyle changes can help to relieve some symptoms.

Symptoms of PPA

Individuals with PPA experience a decline in their language abilities, including difficulty speaking, understanding speech, reading, and writing.

This condition primarily impacts language functions while leaving other cognitive abilities relatively intact in the early stages. However, as PPA progresses, it can lead to significant impairment in communication and daily functioning.

Symptoms of FTD

Unlike Alzheimer’s disease, which primarily affects memory initially, FTD often presents with:

• Changes in behavior, personality, and language skills early in the disease course.
• Socially inappropriate behaviors
• Lack of empathy
• Impaired judgment.
• Language difficulties, such as difficulty finding words or understanding speech
• Language difficulties, such as difficulty finding words or understanding speech commonly occur in the variant known as primary progressive aphasia.
• As FTD progresses, it can lead to significant impairments in daily functioning and relationships.

Many people with FTD usually make their first visit to a doctor’s office due to:

• Gradual and steady changes in behavior
• Gradual and steady language dysfunction
• Gradual and steady weakness or slowing of movement

What Are The Causes of PPA and FTD

The clinical symptoms of PPA are caused by degeneration in the parts of the brain that control speech and language (mainly the left side of the brain in the frontal, temporal and parietal regions)

Also, while researchers know so much about how FTD develops in the brain, it is still not clear what causes it. This is mainly because FTD is a less common type of dementia – so it is harder to study its causes.

Risk Factors for Primary Progressive Aphasia

While the exact cause of PPA is not fully understood, there are some risk factors that may contribute to its development. These risk factors include:

Age: PPA typically affects individuals between the ages of 40 and 65, although it can occur outside of this range. it is the most common cause of dementia in people below 60 years. However, PPA occurs as much as alzheimer’s in those 45-64 years.

Genetics: There is evidence to suggest that genetics may play a role in the development of PPA. Some cases of PPA have been linked to specific genetic mutations or a family history of neurodegenerative diseases.

Family History: Individuals with a family history of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease or frontotemporal dementia may have an increased risk of developing PPA. However, most people with PPA do not have any family history of dementia or other degenerative diseases.

Neurodegenerative Diseases: PPA is often associated with underlying neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia, or Lewy body dementia. Having a pre-existing neurodegenerative condition may increase the risk of developing PPA.

Risk Factors for Frontotemporal Dementia

While the exact cause of FTD is not fully understood, some risk factors that may contribute to its development include:

Family History: Having a family history of FTD increases the risk of developing FTD. Between 20 and 50% of of individuals with FTD have a family history of the disorder, suggesting a genetic predisposition.

Genetics: Mutations in certain genes, such as the C9orf72 gene, MAPT gene, and GRN gene are found in 60% of familial FTD cases. C9orf72 mutations are the most common and account for 25%.

However, many people with FTD have no family history of it or other types of dementia.

Treatment for PPA

Unlike many people who develop aphasia from head injury or stroke, people with PPA do not typically improve over time.

Although there is no known permanent cure for PPA, those with language difficulties may benefit from speech therapy to help them learn alternative ways to supplement and compensate for their lost skills.

A therapist may help maximize their abilities, and help them learn alternative ways of communication. This may include non-verbal communication methods, such as gesturing or pointing to pictures. Encouraging adequate communication and social connections is also very important.

Treatment for FTD

At present, there is no known cure for frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and its progression cannot be slowed. Nevertheless, there are ways to assist individuals with FTD in maintaining a good quality of life. Unlike other forms of dementia, medications are not advised for those with FTD because they make the condition worse.

Key Takeaways

• Wendy Williams, the talk show host of “The Wendy Williams Show,” has been diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia (PPA) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), which significantly impact her communication and behavior.
• The announcement of her diagnosis came on February 22, 2024, through a press release from her team, aiming to dispel inaccurate rumors about her health.
• The newly released documentary “Where is Wendy Williams?” highlights that Williams had faced health challenges, including struggles with speech and cognitive decline. She also battles with lymphedema and Grave’s disease.
• Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) involves a gradual deterioration of brain regions responsible for speech and language functions, while frontotemporal dementia (FTD) results from the breakdown of frontal and temporal lobes, affecting behavior, personality, and language.
• These conditions often manifest with difficulties in communication and daily functioning despite efforts to lead a healthy lifestyle.
• There is currently no known cure for these conditions. Treatment options focus on symptom management and may include speech therapy and alternative communication methods.

What Can You Do?

If you have a family history or are concerned about symptoms of primary progressive aphasia or frontotemporal dementia, talk with your doctor. If you or someone you know has recently been diagnosed, explore the resources on this website and the link below to find out more about the disease and other related diseases.

READ MORE: Cognitive Disorders: What is the Difference Between Dementia and Alzheimer’s?

Sources

1. Alzheimer’s Society (n.d). Frontotemporal Dementia. https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/types-dementia/frontotemporal-dementia-causes#content-start
2. Lifetime (2024). Where is Wendy Williams? https://www.mylifetime.com/shows/where-is-wendy-williams
3. Olszewska DA, Lonergan R, Fallon EM, Lynch T. Genetics of Frontotemporal Dementia. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2016 Dec;16(12):107. doi: 10.1007/s11910-016-0707-9. PMID: 27878525.
4. University of California San Francisco (n.d). Frontotemporal Dementia. https://memory.ucsf.edu/dementia/ftd
5. Weil Institute for Neurosciences. Memory and Aging Center. (n.d). Primary Progressive Aphasia. https://memory.ucsf.edu/dementia/primary-progressive-aphasia.