American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

Behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) is primarily characterized by changes in behavior and personality rather than the cognitive decline typical of other types of dementia. One of the hallmark features of bvFTD is the loss of insight, which refers to the patient's inability to recognize their own behavioral changes and the impact of these changes on their life and the lives of others. Patients may display a marked lack of awareness regarding socially inappropriate behaviors, diminished empathy, and an altered sense of self. The other options do not accurately reflect the key characteristics of bvFTD. Impaired motor function is not a defining feature of this variant; that symptom is more commonly associated with other types of dementia or specific neurological conditions. Memory loss can occur but is typically less pronounced in the early stages compared to conditions like Alzheimer's disease. Visual hallucinations are more commonly seen in dementia with Lewy bodies and are not a classic feature of bvFTD. Hence, the identification of loss of insight as a primary characteristic highlights the unique cognitive and behavioral profile of individuals affected by this form of dementia.