Frontotemporal Dementia: Genes, Images, and Emotions
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11523158 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A multi-project effort to understand and monitor frontotemporal dementia and related Alzheimer’s conditions through genetics, brain imaging, and emotional studies, with steps toward new biomarkers and better patient care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2002 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $13,716 |
| NIH project number | 3P01AG019724-24S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11523158 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with or at risk for frontotemporal dementia or related Alzheimer’s-type conditions, and their caregivers, may participate.
✕Less likely to help
Some participants may not directly benefit if their disease does not respond to newly developed biomarkers or if caregiver interventions are not applicable.
What this research studies
This program project grant coordinates four research projects and seven supporting cores at UCSF to map how cognitive and emotional changes occur in frontotemporal dementia, and to translate findings into scalable tools for pathology prediction and disease monitoring. Researchers will connect gene and protein discoveries to a blood-based biomarker approach, aiming to create noninvasive tests that help diagnose and track disease. The team will also study caregiver health and engagement to improve support and participation in future trials, while examining why disease progression and treatment goals vary among patients. An administrative core coordinates activities and a clinical core will recruit and evaluate patients and caregivers to ensure clinical relevance.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients may receive earlier, more accurate diagnoses and better monitoring tools, along with improved caregiver support and clearer pathways to clinical trials.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work from this program has generated translational advances and biomarker approaches, with ongoing potential for further breakthroughs in FTD.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gorno Tempini, Maria Luisa — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Gorno Tempini, Maria Luisa
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Automated language analysis to help diagnose Alzheimer’s and frontotemporal dementia in Latino and English speakers
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Automated language analysis for Alzheimer's and frontotemporal dementia in Latino and English-speaking communities
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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.