Loss of pleasure and happiness linked to frontotemporal dementia, brain study shows Posted 4 updated 4 AprApril 2021 at 7:19am In contrast to Alzheimer’s disease, memory often remains unaffected in frontotemporal dementia, especially in the early stages. ( Share Print text only Cancel Those living with a type of dementia that affects younger people can't feel as happy as they did before developing the disease because the pleasure system in their brain has deteriorated, new research suggests. Key points: In frontotemporal dementia, the frontal and/or temporal lobes of the brain become progressively damaged Diminished pleasure is associated with atrophy in areas of the brain related to feeling pleasure, research shows