Disorder Causing Dementia In Younger Patients Found To Be Hereditary

November 3, 2009 6:49 a.m. EST

London, England (AHN) - A rare brain disorder that causes early dementia is highly hereditary, according to a new report from British researchers.

The disorder is called frontotemporal dementia. Formerly known as Pick's disease, it destroys parts of the brain and leads to dementia, including language problems, and changes in behavior and personality, the researchers with the University College London said in a statement.

The disease often affects people under 65 years old.

Blood tests drawn from 225 people with the disease showed that 42 percent of the patients had some family history of dementia. The participants also had their DNA tested for five gene mutations thought to cause frontotemoral dementia. Mutations were found in two of the five genes, the researchers said.

The study appears in the Nov. 3 issue of the journal Neurology.