Biofluid Biomarker Center for Frontotemporal Dementia
Biofluid Core
This project develops blood and spinal-fluid tests to detect and track frontotemporal dementia and related conditions for people at risk or in early stages.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11198458 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers at Mayo Clinic are collecting blood and cerebrospinal fluid from people with frontotemporal dementia, people who carry related genetic mutations, and healthy volunteers to look for protein markers like tau and TDP-43. They will link these fluid measures with clinical exams and other brain tests and follow participants over time to see who develops symptoms. The team aims to create low-cost, biologically specific blood tests that could work in remote or underserved areas and help pick the right people for prevention or treatment trials. The Core builds on prior datasets and publications to refine and validate biomarkers that distinguish different FTLD pathologies and monitor treatment effects.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants include people diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia syndromes, individuals who carry FTLD-related genetic mutations even if asymptomatic, and healthy controls willing to provide blood and lumbar puncture samples and attend follow-up visits.
Not a fit: People without FTLD-related symptoms or genetic risk and those unwilling to provide fluid samples or travel for visits are unlikely to derive direct benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these biomarkers could enable earlier and more accurate diagnosis, better trial matching, and easier monitoring of treatment effects for people with FTLD.
How similar studies have performed: Blood and CSF biomarkers have transformed Alzheimer's research and earlier work has produced promising but not yet definitive fluid markers for FTLD, especially for distinguishing tau versus TDP-43 disease.
Where this research is happening
Rochester, United States
- Mayo Clinic Rochester — Rochester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Boxer, Adam L. — Mayo Clinic Rochester
- Study coordinator: Boxer, Adam L.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.