OWASSO, Okla. — Owasso residents were given the chance to learn more about the type of dementia affecting actor Bruce Willis on Friday.

Willis’s family announced on Thursday he is now diagnosed with Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD), as well as his previous diagnosis of Aphasia.

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America held a presentation on FTD at the Owasso Community Center on Friday.

As FTD progresses, it can affect one’s ability to walk, talk and think.

FOX23 spoke with the community outreach coordinator for the Alzheimer’s Association, Jacob Guinan, about possible signs of the disease.

“One of the most common warning signs, especially for Alzheimer’s disease, is short term memory loss. But there are a lot of other signs that might happen as well, things like behavior and personality changes could be a sign of dementia.”

Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., president and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America made a statement on Willis’s diagnosis.

“We are sending our prayers and support to Bruce Willis and his family on the announcement of his diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia (FTD). We are also grateful for the family’s transparency about the news. All forms of dementia deserve greater awareness and research support.

Frontotemporal dementia is a group of brain disorders that cause progressive degeneration of the neurons in the brain and, as the name suggests, affects primarily the frontal and temporal areas of the brain. It has a relatively young age of onset, most diagnosed between the ages of 45 and 64 years.  The disease gradually robs people of basic abilities such as speaking, walking, and thinking.

There is no cure for FTD, and we cannot slow down its process. It is unknown what causes FTD except in some rare inherited cases related to specific gene mutations. It is important to continue to push for legislation for increased funding for research.”

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