Brain and molecular signs of a form of frontotemporal dementia that affects language
Anatomic, Pathologic, and Molecular Signatures of FTLD-TDP type C
This project is looking at brain anatomy, tissue changes, and molecular markers in people with a specific type of frontotemporal dementia (TDP‑C) that often causes language and semantic problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11235912 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From your perspective, researchers will combine detailed language and cognitive testing with brain scans to map where this disease affects the brain. They will link those clinical and imaging findings to tissue and molecular analyses from donated brains to see how molecular changes match symptoms and brain regions. The team will study left-versus-right temporal lobe differences to explain why some people have word comprehension problems while others have nonverbal semantic or behavioral changes. Participants may provide biological samples, undergo longitudinal clinic visits, and some may consent to brain donation after death to confirm the molecular signatures.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people diagnosed with frontotemporal lobar degeneration or primary progressive aphasia, especially those with prominent anterior temporal lobe and language or semantic difficulties.
Not a fit: People with typical memory‑predominant Alzheimer's disease or other unrelated neurologic conditions are less likely to get direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help doctors recognize this specific dementia earlier and tailor care or future therapies to the language and behavior problems it causes.
How similar studies have performed: Northwestern's prior work with a large TDP‑C cohort has already identified distinct patterns in this disease, and this project extends those promising findings to more clinical presentations and molecular details.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Northwestern University — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gefen, Tamar D — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Gefen, Tamar D
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.