Early onset frontotemporal dementia following cannabis abuse: a case report

Abstract

Abstract Background Frontotemporal disorders (FTD) are the consequence of impairment to neurons in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. Also, no definitive treatment has been found for FTD. Cannabinoid products can be used to manage treatment-resistant behavioral variants of Frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD). Case presentation We describe the case of 34 years old male with two years of marijuana abuse. At first, he presented with symptoms of apathy and bizarre behavior, which became more severe, and led to disinhibition. The clinical symptoms and imaging findings made FTD probable for him, which was very interesting to report. Conclusions While cannabis has demonstrated potential in managing behavioral and mental symptoms of dementia, the presented case highlights the profound impact of cannabis consumption on brain structure and chemistry, including the potential for neurodegenerative disorders like FTD.

Keywords

• Frontotemporal dementia
• Cannabis
• Addiction
• Dementia