As Bruce Willis continues his fight with frontotemporal dementia, New York’s new FTD registry aims to improve research, treatment, and awareness for this rare brain disorder.

October 22, 2025: Bruce Willis’ ongoing health struggle with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) has drawn global attention — and now, New York State is taking a groundbreaking step to fight the disease. The launch of a new FTD registry is being hailed as a crucial move toward better understanding, early detection, and treatment of this complex neurological disorder.

Bruce Willis and His Ongoing Battle

In 2022, the family of Die Hard star Bruce Willis revealed that he had been diagnosed with aphasia, which later progressed to frontotemporal dementia — a degenerative brain condition that affects behavior, language, and personality. His wife, Emma Heming Willis, and daughters have since become strong advocates for dementia awareness, using their platform to shed light on what families face behind the scenes.

“FTD is cruel and unpredictable,” said Emma Heming Willis in a recent interview. “Raising awareness and funding research is the only way we can help other families going through this.”

New York’s FTD Registry: A Step Toward Hope

New York has now established the first state-level FTD patient registry in the U.S. — a centralized database designed to collect and analyze information about those living with the disease. The goal is to help researchers identify patterns, accelerate diagnosis, and improve long-term care for patients.

According to medical experts, registries like this could play a vital role in finding new treatments and understanding how FTD differs from other forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s.

Why This Matters

Frontotemporal dementia often strikes people under 65, leading to years of confusion, misdiagnosis, and emotional hardship for families. With Bruce Willis’ case putting the disease in the spotlight, advocacy groups hope that the new registry will drive more funding, education, and policy support nationwide.

“This registry is a lifeline,” said Dr. Susan Cataldi, a neurologist involved in the program. “It brings hope that one day, we’ll have better treatments — or even a cure.”

Willis’ Legacy Beyond Acting

Although Bruce Willis has stepped away from acting, his openness about his diagnosis has left a lasting impact. His story continues to inspire millions to learn more about FTD, support caregivers, and push for stronger research efforts.

As New York leads the way with its FTD registry, the hope is clear — that every patient, like Bruce Willis, will one day have access to better understanding, care, and compassion.