While no treatments have yet been approved for any type of FTD, emerging research is beginning to suggest that carriers of FTD-causing gene variants may be able to slow its progression by engaging in certain brain-healthy activities. But there is much we still don’t know about overall brain health and its relationship with FTD risk and progression. At the 2024 AFTD Education Conference, Kaitlin Casaletto, PhD, of the University of California, San Francisco, discussed the current research on whether lifestyle changes may support FTD brain health.

The brain depends on vascular health to function properly – the healthier the heart, the better the brain performs. One way to maintain heart health is to partake in a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. “Take care of your heart to take care of your brain,” Dr. Casaletto summarized.

Physical activity also contributes to brain health, and some research suggests it may hinder FTD’s progress in people genetically predisposed to the disease. “We found that physical activity is associated with slower progression in individuals at the highest [genetic] risk of FTD,” Dr. Casaletto said. “Mutation carriers who had high levels of physical activity had greater stability of cognitive performance over time, despite having tissue loss” in the brain, she said. “Somehow, physical activity was helping these individuals who are at risk to maintain their clinical functioning, even as there may be changes in their brain.”

While physical exercise is good for overall brain health, giving yourself a mental workout is helpful too. Vigorous engagement with the world, through work or volunteer activities, family gatherings, or hobbies involving other enthusiasts, are associated with slower dementia progression, Dr. Casaletto said. She emphasized that new experiences seem best at building new neural connections. These could include learning a new instrument, taking a class on an unfamiliar topic, or incorporating other cognitive stimulation.

Although research suggests that brain-healthy habits—such as a nutritious diet, regular exercise, and cognitive engagement—may support overall brain function, these strategies can be difficult to implement for some individuals with FTD. Common FTD symptoms, including altered eating behaviors, apathy, and irritability or aggression, often interfere with participation in such activities. Care partners should understand that resistance to these changes is a symptom of the disease, not a failure on their part.

Risk-factor research relating specifically to FTD is limited, but healthy lifestyles contribute to multiple factors that improve the quality of life for care partners and people diagnosed. There are several ways those impacted can help advance our understanding of FTD; see the Ways to Participate section of AFTD’s website for more information.