Background The emergence of new skills in the setting of dementia suggests
that loss of function in one brain area can release new functions elsewhere
.
Aims To characterise 12 patients with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) who acq
uired, or sustained, new musical or visual abilities despite progression of
their dementia.
Method Twelve patients with FTD who acquired or maintained musical or artis
tic ability were compared with 46 patients with FTD in whom new or sustaine
d ability was absent.
Results The group with musical or visual ability performed better on visual
, but worse on verbal tasks than did the other patients with FTD. Nine had
asymmetrical left anterior dysfunction. Nine showed the temporal robe varia
nt of FTD.
Conclusion Loss of function in the left anterior temporal lobe may lead to
facilitation of artistic or musical skills. Patients with the left-sided te
mporal lobe variant of FTD offer an unexpected window into the neurological
mediation of visual and musical talents.
Declaration of interest This work was supported by the UCLA Alzheimer Disea
se Center AG - 10123, the Sidell Kagan Research Foundation and the Elins fa
mily through UCLA Medical School and the A.W. and Mary-Margaret Clausen Cha
ir at UCSF.