A 72-year-old man has been having progressive memory loss over the last year. He is also showing personality changes and increased apathy. His family reports a loss of spontaneity and reduced interest in hobbies. What might be the cause?
The man's symptoms of progressive memory loss combined with personality changes, apathy, and loss of interest in activities could indicate a form of dementia, potentially frontotemporal dementia. This type of dementia often presents with more changes in personality, behavior, and language than memory, distinguishing it from Alzheimer's disease. Neuroimaging and neuropsychological testing could help confirm the diagnosis.