Actor Bruce Willis has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, “a cruel disease,” his family said in a statement released Thursday on the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration website. Willis was originally diagnosed with aphasia last year. His family said at the time that he was “retiring” from his acting career as a result.
“As a family, we wanted to take this opportunity to thank you all for the outpouring of love and compassion for Bruce over the past ten months. Your generosity has been overwhelming and we are very grateful to you for it,” the family said Thursday, before providing an update on Willis’s condition.
“Since we announced Bruce’s aphasia diagnosis in Spring 2022, Bruce’s condition has improved and we now have a more specific diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia (known as FTD),” the statement continued.
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“Communication challenges” is one of the symptoms Willis faces with FTD, the most common form of dementia in people under the age of 60 – with most FTD cases occurring between the ages of 45 and 64, according to the AFTD. The disease is probably more common than statistics suggest, as it is less well known and can take years before a formal diagnosis is made.
FTD is a degenerative brain disease characterized by deterioration of the frontal and/or temporal lobes, according to AFTD. Symptoms may include: “Uncharacteristic personality changes, apathy, and unexplained struggles with decision-making, speaking, or understanding language are among the most common symptoms.”
Although there is currently no cure or treatment for the condition, the Willis family wrote that they hope to be able to help change this.
“As Bruce’s condition progresses, we hope media attention can focus on shedding light on this disease, which requires much more awareness and research,” adding that Willis has always believed in using his voice to raise awareness and help others, both and from the public.
“Bruce has always found joy in life – and has helped everyone he knows do the same,” the statement concluded. “Your continued compassion, understanding and respect will allow us to help Bruce live the fullest life possible.”
The letter was signed by Willis’ five daughters, Rumer, Scout, Tallulah, Mabel and Evelyn; his wife Emma Heming Willis; and his ex-wife Demi Moore.
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