General Information About Pick's Disease
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is a disease where nerve cells in the frontal (decision-making/personality) and temporal (language/speech) lobes of the brain die due to the accumulation of abnormal Tau proteins called 'Pick bodies', causing these areas to shrink (atrophy).
Alzheimer's typically begins over the age of 65, and the first thing to deteriorate is memory (forgetfulness). Pick's disease starts at earlier ages (40-60 years); the patient's memory is intact, but their character, moral judgments, and speech deteriorate.
A previously polite and calm person suddenly becomes rude, foul-mouthed, and thoughtless. Disregard for social rules (inappropriate behavior in public), an overwhelming urge to eat sweets, loss of empathy, and neglect of personal hygiene are observed.
When the temporal lobe is affected, the person forgets the meaning of words (e.g., saying 'That thing' instead of 'Pen'). Speech slows down, vocabulary shrinks, and eventually, the disease may lead to complete silence (mutism).
It is suspected through clinical neuropsychological tests and behavioral evaluations. Diagnosis is confirmed when a Brain MRI or PET scan reveals shrinkage/atrophy specifically in the frontal and temporal regions of the brain.
There is currently no cure to halt the disease or restore the brain. The treatment process consists of psychiatric medications to soothe emerging psychiatric symptoms (aggression, depression, obsessions) and speech/language therapies.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
