- A new study from UC San Francisco may offer the first clear biological markers for frontotemporal dementia, a condition that often affects people in midlife and is difficult to diagnose.
- By analysing spinal fluid from patients with inherited frontotemporal dementia, researchers uncovered protein changes linked to RNA regulation and brain connectivity; early indicators that could lead to earlier, more accurate diagnosis.
- These findings could open the door to precision treatments and expanded access to clinical trials for those living with the disease.
Dementia typically affects older adults, so when it appears in middle age it can be difficult to identify.
The most common type in this age group is frontotemporal dementia, which is often misdiagnosed as depression, schizophrenia, or Parkinson’s disease.
Frontotemporal disorders are caused by damage to the frontal and temporal regions of the brain, leading to dementia. The effects vary by type but may include changes in behaviour, language, and overall wellbeing.
Now, researchers at UC San Francisco have uncovered new insights into how frontotemporal dementia develops.
The study, published in Nature AgingTrusted Source, involved the analysis of over 4,000 proteins in spinal fluid samples from 116 individuals with inherited frontotemporal dementia .
Researchers compared these samples to those from 39 of their healthy relatives.
