Pick’s disease Health Article

Support Groups

In some communities, there may be access to support groups (such as the Alzheimer's - support group, elder care - support group, or others).

Expectations (prognosis)

The likely outcome is poor. The disorder quickly and steadily becomes worse. Patients become totally disabled early in the course of the disease.

Commonly, Pick's disease causes death within 2 - 10 years, usually from infection and occasionally from general failure of body systems.

Complications

• Abuse by an over-stressed caregiver
• Infection
• Loss of ability to care for self or perform normal activities
• Loss of ability to interact with others
• Progressive loss of ability to function
• Side effects of medications used to treat the disorder
• Reduced life span

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if you develop symptoms of Pick's disease.

Call your health care provider or go to the emergency room if acute deterioration in mental function occurs (this symptom may mean that another disorder has developed).

Prevention

There is no known prevention.

References

Moore DP, Jefferson JW. Handbook of Medical Psychiatry. 2nd ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby; 2004.

Pierce JM. Pick's disease. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2003 Feb;74(2):169.

Grossman M. Frontotemporal dementia: a review. J Intl Neuropsychol Soc. 2002;8:566-583.

Grossman M. Progressive aphasic syndromes: clinical and theoretical advances. Curr Opin Neurol. 2002;15:1-5.

McKhann G, Albert M, Grossman M, Miller B, Dickson D, Trojanowski J. Clinical and pathological diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia. Arch Neurology. 2001;58:1803-1809.