Providing diagnosis and treatment of all forms of FTD and related focal dementia syndromes. Comprehensive clinical services related to FTD; diagnostic assessment, second opinions, comprehensive treatment recommendations, education, counseling, and ongoing monitoring.

Preparing for Clinic

The evaluation typically involves a neurologic assessment, neuropsychologic assessment, speech and language assessment, and potentially additional assessments by neuropsychiatry and social work. There are often tests ordered as well as brain scans and similar procedures. The evaluation is tailored to the individual, but many of these components are performed with each person.

Typically, one or more persons who know the patient well are interviewed in detail to find out more about the symptoms that are present in daily life. This is often done initially as a telephone intake and subsequently in person during one or more visits.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, many of these assessments can be conducted remotely through telehealth options. When your appointment is scheduled, a team member will review the process with you for in-person and remote assessments and communication.

In Clinic

At the clinic evaluation, a behavioral neurology/neuropsychiatry fellow (a neurologist or psychiatrist in advanced training focusing on dementia and related conditions) will obtain the history in detail, perform an examination of the patient, review records, and together with one of our faculty neurologists will make recommendations for further evaluation if necessary. For many patients, a speech-language pathologist or trainee will also evaluate the patient and/or interview the care partner. A member of our care partner support team will meet with the family member(s) or other care partner(s).

The various specialists who perform the evaluations then will discuss the results together as a team and try to come to a consensus regarding the diagnosis, and will also make recommendations for treatment, management, planning, and monitoring.

Coordinating for Care

The MGH FTD Unit aims to develop better knowledge about and diagnosis and treatment of all forms of FTD and related focal dementia syndromes.

The PPA Program within the FTD Unit aims to better understand and treat primary progressive aphasia syndromes using existing technologies (including speech therapy) and by developing new diagnostic and treatment technologies. By coordinating with outside providers, we are able to learn more about our patients and also help to provide integrated medical care for families. We look forward to connecting with your existing providers as we provide ongoing care for your condition.

Make an Appointment

Whether you are a new patient looking to book your first appointment or a returning patient looking for a follow-up appointment, the best way to contact our scheduling team is by sending an email to mghftdunit@mgh.harvard.edu and a member of our team will respond to your email.

Get Medical Records

To obtain medical records, please follow the directions below:

  • For written records including reports on clinic visits, please visit the MGH Medical Records website
  • For CDs with MRI or PET scans, please visit the MGH Imaging or MGH Imaging Service Center. Or the following telephone number in Radiology can be used: 617-726-1798. The fastest way to obtain a CD with MRI or PET scan is to use the MGH Imaging Service Center and fill out the form or call the phone number, and the CD will usually be ready for pick up within 24-48 hours.