Pick disease

Pick disease A form of dementia that is characterized by a slowly progressive deterioration of social skills and changes in personality, along with impairment of intellect, memory, and language. The common symptoms include loss of memory, lack of spontaneity, difficulty in thinking or concentrating, and disturbances of speech. Other symptoms can include gradual emotional dullness, loss of moral judgment, and progressive dementia. The age of onset may range from 20 to 80 but is often between 40 and 60. Pick disease is of unknown origin. The course ranges in duration from less than 2 years to more than 10 years. There is no treatment. Death is usually caused by infection that overwhelms the emaciated body. See also dementia. Also known as frontotemporal dementia.