September 12, 2025
Katie Brandt, Director of MGH FTD Unit Caregiver Support Services and Public Relations, recently shared her FTD story with Lynn Hallarman, MD, a health care journalist, and “Katie’s Story,” published at Aeon.co, is the result. Dr. Hallarman’s article provides a window into life with FTD when symptoms become so difficult that law enforcement must become involved. Katie shared an experience where her husband’s behavior posed a threat to their community and a police officer’s compassionate assessment led them to Mike’s admission in the local emergency department. In an interview with Jill Rovitzky Black, a former FTD caregiver to her late ex-husband, she shared how FTD caused Mr. Black to engage in bank fraud and ultimately contributed to his brutal murder while living in a homeless shelter. Dr. Brad Dickerson, Director of the MGH FTD Unit and Dr. Ryan Darby, Director of the Frontotemporal Dementia Clinic at Vanderbilt Medical and graduate of the MGH FTD Unit Clinical Research Fellowship Program provided clinical insight about how FTD can damage the parts of the brain that control behavior and judgement, possibly leading to dangerous or criminal behavior.
To learn more about FTD and the law:
- The MGH FTD Unit hosted “Dementia & The Law: Protecting Your Loved Ones,” a webinar featuring Dr. Bruce Price and Dr. Judith Edersheim, the Co-Founders and Co-Directors of the MGH Center for Law, Brain and Behavior.
- Dr. Darby presented “At the Intersection of FTD and the Law” as part of the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration’s webinar series for healthcare professionals.