Subtle dinner table habit could be symptom of silent killer dementia

When it comes to dinner parties, nobody wants an uncomfortable guest at the table, but specialists have now disclosed that bizarre eating habits could be far more than simply a character trait - and might actually signal early-stage dementia.

Frontotemporal dementia specifically, a disorder that was thrust into the public eye following actor Bruce Willis' recent diagnosis, develops from progressive deterioration in brain regions responsible for personality and communication skills.

Considering which sections of the brain this illness impacts, it can present with numerous warning signs, including recklessness or absence of compassion - alongside dysphasia, when someone struggles to locate appropriate words for expression.

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Nevertheless, specialists have now cautioned that one less recognised indicator, particularly "obsessive and repetitive behaviours" might even affect a patient's consumption patterns and general nutrition.

This could appear as peculiar behaviours, like consuming solely one type of food whilst rejecting everything else, or even ingesting inedible objects and possibly taking food from others' dishes, reports the Express.

Dr Marilena Aiello, a neuroscientist who studies the disorder, previously explained: "These behaviours are problematic, of course, socially, but also with regard to patients' health as they tend to gain weight.

"[But], some people lose weight because they eat a narrow range of foods in an obsessive way."

Why precisely this form of dementia has such a massive impact on dietary habits remains a mystery to experts - however, researchers suspect it could potentially be connected to changes in the body's hunger and satiety signals, according to The Daily Mail.

It remains unclear whether Bruce Willis has personally experienced alterations to his eating patterns due to the condition, though his wife has recently spoken candidly about the communication difficulties he's encountered.

In an interview with ABC News earlier this month, Emma Heming Willis disclosed the subtle warning sign that emerged during the illness's initial phase.

She explained: "For someone who is really talkative, very engaged, he was just a little more quiet, and when the family would get together he would kind of just melt a little bit."

Not long afterwards, Willis started struggling to find words and experienced the resurgence of a childhood stammer that hadn't appeared for many decades.

"[He] felt very removed, a little cold, not like Bruce, who is very warm and affectionate to going the complete opposite of that was alarming and scary," she continued.

In the majority of frontotemporal dementia cases - a disorder that impacts roughly 1 in 20 of the 944,000 individuals in the UK living with dementia - the earliest indicators of the illness are notable behavioural shifts.

This distinguishes it from other similar conditions like Alzheimer's disease,which typically first presents as memory problems or disorientation regarding time or location. As frontotemporal dementia advances, it gradually impacts more areas of the brain, leading patients to sometimes exhibit symptoms akin to those in the late stages of Alzheimer's disease.

Other significant symptoms include difficulty eating or swallowing, problems with walking and a heightened susceptibility to infections.

While the condition itself is not typically fatal, it can make the body more prone to infections and other complications. These include issues such as trouble swallowing which can affect eating, drinking and maintaining proper nutrition.

Devastatingly, there is currently no cure for the disease. However, some medications and therapies are available that may help slow the progression of symptoms.

These include antidepressants (SSRIs) and antipsychotics for severe behaviours, along with non-drug therapies such as physical, occupational, and speech therapy to improve daily function and communication.

The cause of the disease remains unknown, although research suggests it could be due to protein clumps building up in the brain, or damage to the brain's blood vessels limiting the nutrients and oxygen received by brain cells.