Investigating brain development in children from families with genetic dementia

Neurodevelopment in children from families with genetic frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer’s disease

NIH-funded research University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11020984

This study is looking at how certain genetic changes related to frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer's might affect how children's brains develop, especially by comparing kids with these changes to their siblings who don’t have them, as well as to kids with conditions like autism and ADHD, to find out more about early brain differences.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California, San Francisco NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (San Francisco, United States)
Project IDNIH-11020984 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research explores how genetic mutations linked to frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer's disease affect brain development in children. By studying children from families with these mutations, researchers aim to identify early differences in brain structure and connectivity compared to their non-carrier siblings. The study also compares these children to those with neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and ADHD to understand potential overlaps. This approach may reveal critical insights into how these genetic factors influence neural development from an early age.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation are children from families with known genetic mutations for frontotemporal dementia or Alzheimer's disease.

Not a fit: Patients without a family history of genetic frontotemporal dementia or Alzheimer's disease may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to early identification and intervention strategies for children at risk of developing neurodevelopmental disorders associated with genetic dementia.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that genetic factors can influence neurodevelopment, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

San Francisco, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Alzheimer disease dementiaAlzheimer syndrome
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.