BRUCE Willis fans were shocked to learn about the decline of his health when he retired from acting in 2022 due to a diagnosis of aphasia.
The Die Hard star now has a much more detailed diagnosis.
What condition does Bruce Willis have?
On February 16, 2023, Bruce's eldest daughter Rumer Willis took to Instagram to announce her famous father's aphasia has progressed.
He now has a more specific diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia - a distinctive form of dementia that affects language and behavior.
She revealed: "Our family wanted to start by expressing our deepest gratitude for the incredible outpouring of love, support, and wonderful stories we have all received since sharing Bruce’s original diagnosis.
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"In the spirit of that, we wanted to give you an update about our beloved husband, father and friend since we now have a deeper understanding of what he is experiencing.
"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."
What is frontotemporal dementia?
Signs of frontotemporal dementia include a combination of motor, behavioral, and speech issues.
Speech issues include:
- Loss of vocabulary
- Repeating certain phrases
- Having slow, hesitant speech that may sound telegraphic (i.e., words are missing)
- Increasing difficulty in using and understanding written and spoken language, such as having trouble finding the right word to use in speech or naming objects, or getting words in the wrong order
- People can eventually become mute
Behavioral issues may include:
- Loss of inhibition and empathy
- Repetitive behaviors, like humming or tapping
- Compulsive eating
- Insensitive and inappropriate social behavior
- Change in personality and mood, such as depression
- A decline in personal hygiene
Mental abilities may become impaired:
- Becoming easily distracted
- Memory problems
- Needing to be told what to do
- Find it difficult to recognize familiar people
Physical symptoms - in later stages - can include:
- Slow, stiff movements
- Difficulty swallowing
- Loss of bladder/bowel control
Is there a cure for frontotemporal dementia?
According to the National Institute of Aging: "There is currently no cure for FTD, and no treatments slow or stop the progression of the disease."
The key to what causes FTD may lie in the body's inability to produce specific proteins which then leads to the damage of specific parts of the brain.
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Scientists have determined that the cause of FTD is often tied to genetics, but not always.
The NIA says: "In most cases, the cause of FTD is unknown.
"Individuals with a family history of FTD are more likely to develop such a disorder."
When was Bruce last seen by the public?
Fans saw Bruce Willis in a video celebrating the actor's 68th birthday.
Wills' family members, including ex-wife Demi Moore, and current wife Emma Willis, along with his three daughters Rumer, Scout, and Tallulah all gathered and delivered a sweet rendition of Happy Birthday.
The video and several cute family photos were shared on Monday, March 20, 2023.
Fans noticed Willis was missing a front tooth, which raised an alarm on social media.
Some users wondered why it wasn't addressed, while others came to his defense.