Occurrence of depression in families with frontotemporal dementia: A family history study

Abstract

Background: There are clinical similarities between frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and depression. The aim is to study co-aggregation of depression in families with FTD, indicating the existence of common aetiological factors. Methods: The study included 74 index patients with FTD and their 540 first-degree relatives above the age of 15 years. Occurrence of depression was studied at 3 different levels. Results: The incidence of depression in first-degree relatives of FTD patients was not higher than that of a general population. Occurrence of depression was not higher in families where parents had FTD compared to families with parents having no indications of FTD. Individuals with FTD had not suffered from depression to a greater extent than those without FTD. Conclusions: The hypothesis of a common aetiological factor of FTD and depression was not supported. Copyright © 2009 S. Karger AG.