Distinguishing Behavioral Variant Frontotemporal Dementia From Primary Psychiatric Disorders: A Review of Recently Published Consensus Recommendations From the Neuropsychiatric International Consortium for Frontotemporal Dementia.

The behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) is the second most common cause of dementia for individuals <65 years old, but accurate diagnosis is often delayed for several years. While previous criteria have increased the ability of diagnosticians to distinguish between bvFTD and other neurocognitive disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, distinguishing bvFTD from a primary psychiatric disorder (PPD) has been more challenging. In early 2020, the Neuropsychiatric International Consortium for Frontotemporal Dementia published the first consensus recommendations to help clinicians distinguish between bvFTD and PPD. These recommendations were produced by a consortium of 45 scientists and clinicians from more than 15 different countries, who explored aspects of history taking, neuropsychological assessments, clinical scales, neuroimaging, CSF and serum biomarkers, and genetics. A multidisciplinary approach is encouraged throughout. In this article, the authors also review those consensus recommendations and highlight use of novel tests and techniques. Additionally, they indicate where further research is needed, including methods to assess the dissemination and implementation of these recommendations. In this way, future efforts by clinicians and researchers alike to improve accurate recognition of bvFTD are encouraged, thereby expanding opportunities for improved guidance and management.