Causes of Pick's Disease - Pick's Disease: An Overview - Elder Health Guides


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Pick's Disease: An Overview

Causes of Pick's Disease

What are the Causes of Pick's Disease

People with Pick's disease develop abnormal protein called tau in their brain cells, similar to what occurs in Alzheimer's disease.[1] Clumps of this protein are called Pick bodies.[1] Why Pick's bodies occur is not known. Over time the front and side lobes of the brain shrink. Clinical evidence suggests that some cases of Pick's disease are inherited.[6] Studies have linked frontotemporal dementia to a mutation in a gene on Chromosome 17.[6]


This Elder Health Guide was published on August 1, 2009 and was updated on May 12, 2010.


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