What FTD patients reveal about consciousness
Researchers are interested in disorders like frontotemporal dementia, or FTD, “because they hit the personality so hard, it makes you wonder what a personality is to begin with,” says Robert Kolker, author of “The Vanishing Family.”
The research could also potentially address competing questions about the relationship between the brain, personality and consciousness.
“FTD patients are, in a way, an amazing place to study this issue,” Kolker told Horizons host William Brangham.
Horizons from PBS News, dives into the science, health, technology and environmental issues making headlines each week. Visit the PBS News website to watch this week’s episode.
Watch PBS News for daily, breaking and live news, plus special coverage. We are home to PBS News Hour, ranked the most credible and objective TV news show.
Sign up for Here’s The Deal with Lisa Desjardins: https://to.pbs.org/41q6E8i
Subscribe for exclusive content in our newsletters: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/subscribe
PBS News podcasts: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/podcasts
Stream your PBS favorites with the PBS app: https://to.pbs.org/2Jb8twG
Find more from PBS News at https://www.pbs.org/newshour
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/2HfsCD6
Follow us:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pbsnews
X: http://www.twitter.com/newshour
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/newshour
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newshour/

