Nearly a year after his aphasia diagnosis, Bruce Willis’ condition has progressed to frontotemporal dementia.
His former wife, Demi Moore, shared the news on Instagram about his latest medical prognosis.
Moore wrote: “Since we announced Bruce’s diagnosis of aphasia in spring 2022, Bruce’s condition has progressed and we now have a more specific diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia (known as FTD). Unfortunately, challenges with communication are just one symptom of the disease Bruce faces. While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis.”
She also linked to The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, saying, “FTD is a cruel disease that many of us have never heard of and can strike anyone. For people under 60, FTD is the most common form of dementia, and because getting the diagnosis can take years, FTD is likely much more prevalent than we know.”
The organization said that there are no treatments for the disease and that people who are diagnosed with it have a life expectancy of 7 to 14 years.
It has been estimated that between 50,000 and 60,000 people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with an FTD disorder and it takes just over 3 and a half years from the first signs of symptoms until diagnosis.
There are several subtypes of the disease that present with behavior, speech/communication and movement and the disease can be unpredictable in its progression.
Willis is husband to wife Ema Heming Willis, with whom he shares two daughters — Mabel and Evelyn. He also has three daughters with Moore — Rumer, Scout and Tallulah. Rumer Willis is expecting her first child with her boyfriend Derek Richard Thomas, CNN reported.
©2023 Cox Media Group