Mapping molecular brain changes in ALS and frontotemporal dementia
Integrating spatial multi-omics and clinical covariates to identify mechanisms of disease in ALS-FTD
This project uses detailed molecular and spatial mapping of brain tissue to connect specific brain changes with thinking, language, and behavior problems in people with ALS and frontotemporal dementia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York Genome Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11296425 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will analyze brain tissue from people with ALS and frontotemporal dementia to map where genes and proteins are active across different brain regions. They combine this spatial multi-omics data with patients' clinical information about language, thinking, and behavior to find patterns that match specific symptoms. The team focuses on regions known to be involved in language and executive function and looks for cell-type changes, especially in support cells called glia. Findings come from detailed lab mapping and linked medical records or autopsy donations rather than a treatment trial.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people diagnosed with ALS or ALS-FTD who can share clinical records and, in some cases, consent to donate brain tissue after death.
Not a fit: Patients without ALS or FTD, or those expecting an immediate treatment, are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help explain why people with ALS have very different cognitive and behavioral symptoms and point to biomarkers or targets for future therapies.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have linked region-specific gene changes and glial involvement to symptoms in ALS-FTD, but applying spatial multi-omics at this scale is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- New York Genome Center — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Phatnani, Hemali — New York Genome Center
- Study coordinator: Phatnani, Hemali
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.