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NJ AJR201
NJ AJR201Designates last full week of September of each year as "Frontotemporal Degeneration Awareness Week" in NJ.
summary
Introduced
10/21/2024
10/21/2024
In Committee
10/21/2024
10/21/2024
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This resolution designates the last full week of September of each year as "Frontotemporal Dementia Awareness Week" in New Jersey. Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) refers to a group of disorders caused by progressive nerve cell loss in the brain's frontal lobes or temporal lobes. FTD is a terminal and incurable neurodegenerative disease that causes impairments to speech, personality, behavior, and motor skills. Approximately 40 percent of individuals living with FTD have a family history of the disease or a related condition like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Due to its broad range of cognitive and behavioral symptoms, FTD is often misdiagnosed as a psychiatric condition or another neurodegenerative disease. An individual living with FTD may lose their sense of social propriety and experience significant changes in their personality. They might also struggle with understanding grammar, lose the meaning of words, become hesitant in their speech, and may eventually become mute. A person living with FTD may also experience physical changes such as muscle weakness which can lead to loss of balance and increased falls. Research at both the national and global level is needed to enhance our understanding of FTD and ultimately discover a cure. In New Jersey there are an estimated 185,000 people living with Alzheimer's dementia. It is unknown how many New Jerseyans are living with FTD. Increasing FTD awareness through public events focused on the impact that FTD has on communities is key to informing New Jerseyans of this often overlooked and incurable terminal neurodegenerative medical condition. Designating the last full week of September as "Frontotemporal Dementia Awareness Week" would provide New Jerseyans with an annual reminder on the effects that FTD has on New Jerseyans diagnosed with FTD.
AI Summary
This joint resolution designates the last full week of September as "Frontotemporal Dementia Awareness Week" in New Jersey, aiming to raise public awareness about frontotemporal degeneration (FTD), a rare and complex neurodegenerative disease. FTD is a terminal condition that affects the brain's frontal and temporal lobes, causing significant impairments in speech, personality, behavior, and motor skills, and primarily impacts individuals between 45 and 64 years old. The resolution highlights that FTD is often misdiagnosed, takes an average of 3.6 years to diagnose accurately, and has a life expectancy of seven to 13 years from symptom onset. Approximately 40 percent of individuals with FTD have a family history of the disease, and it can cause profound changes in a person's ability to communicate, understand language, and maintain social norms. The resolution seeks to educate the public about this often-overlooked condition by requesting the Governor to issue an annual proclamation and encourage appropriate awareness activities, ultimately drawing attention to the need for further research and support for those affected by FTD.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee (on 10/21/2024)
Official Document
bill text
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/AJR201 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/AJR/201_I1.HTM |
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