What are the causes and symptoms of Pick's disease, a type of dementia that impacts behavior, personality, and speech?

Pick's disease is a rare form of dementia that affects parts of the brain controlling emotions, behavior, personality, and language. It is a type of frontotemporal dementia (FTD). In Pick's disease, tau proteins in the brain malfunction and form abnormal clumps called Pick bodies, disrupting the brain's nutrient transport system and causing irreversible brain damage. Symptoms often include changes in behavior, personality, and speech. People may develop a constant hunger or an unhealthy craving for sweets. Language problems usually appear early, and some may experience movement issues or muscle weakness. Diagnosis involves medical history, memory and behavior tests, and possibly genetic testing or brain imaging. There is no cure, but treatments can help manage symptoms.