What is Pick’s disease?

Pick’s disease is a rare cause of dementia. Dementia is a progressive neurological condition (PNC) that is characterised by a distinctive group of symptoms, which are associated with a gradual and irreversible decline in brain functioning. Dementia is known to cause a wide range of difficulties in areas such as:

• Memory
• Information processing
• Judgement
• Emotions
• Language
• The ability to carry out normal day-to-day tasks

Pick’s disease often occurs at an earlier age than other forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease, with symptoms typically becoming apparent between the ages of 40 and 60. However, there have been cases of Pick’s disease reported in individuals as young as 20.

Pick’s disease is known as a fronto-temporal dementia (FTD), due to the fact that it mainly affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, which are important in areas such as emotion, judgement, behaviour, language, planning, multitasking, and executive functioning (memory, cognitions and control). This is different to many other forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease, which are known to affect all areas of the brain.

Whilst research is still ongoing, Pick’s disease and other FTDs are associated with abnormal levels of tau proteins in the brain. In Pick’s disease, tau protein clusters together around nerve cells in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, forming clumps that are known as ‘Pick bodies’ or ‘Pick cells’. These can then cause tissue shrinkage, cell death, and the corresponding symptoms of dementia.

Treatment for Pick’s disease at Priory

Priory provides high quality treatment interventions that aim to maximise independence and maintain quality of life for those living with Pick’s disease, as part of our dedicated Brain Injury Services. We can provide expert support, delivered across our specialist sites throughout the UK.

Our approaches for patients who are experiencing a PNC are based on a model of person-centred care and are aimed at minimising the impact of the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). Our treatment approaches encompass all aspects of neurological support, including:

• Physical
• Behavioural
• Cognitive
• Emotional
• Communication
• Social

Treatment is delivered within a broad variety of environments, ranging from hospital settings to transitional living homes. We can care for patients at all stages of their condition right through to delivering bespoke end of life care support, based on individual needs and preferences. The breadth of the service allows our network to offer comprehensive care pathways, ensuring that all services have consistency in their approach and adhere to national guidelines. 

Priory is experienced in providing a range of specialist complex care services for people with Pick’s disease. We are dedicated to supporting both the patient and family, with the intention of maximising quality of life and maintaining functional independence for as long as possible