Understanding antisocial behavior in frontotemporal dementia
Official title: Antisocial Behavior in Frontotemporal Dementia: Behavioral Phenotypes, Neural Markers, and Decision-Making Mechanisms
Funded at Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-11132837 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at the challenging behaviors, like aggression and breaking rules, that can happen in people with behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD), and it aims to better understand how these behaviors are connected to changes in the brain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $809,929 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG081655-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11132837 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia who exhibit antisocial behaviors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without a diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia or those who do not exhibit antisocial behaviors may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the antisocial behaviors commonly seen in patients with behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD), such as aggression and rule-breaking. It aims to define the behavioral phenotypes associated with these actions and explore the underlying neural mechanisms. The study will utilize a novel questionnaire designed to assess these behaviors and will compare findings with established measures of aggression and rule-breaking. By examining brain patterns associated with these behaviors, the research seeks to enhance understanding of how bvFTD affects decision-making and social interactions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better identification and management of antisocial behaviors in patients with frontotemporal dementia, improving their quality of life and social relationships.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in identifying behavioral phenotypes in other populations, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights in bvFTD as well.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Darby, Richard Ryan — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Darby, Richard Ryan
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Antisocial behaviors in frontotemporal dementia: aggression versus rule‑breaking
This project looks at different kinds of antisocial behaviors—like aggression or rule‑breaking—in people with behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) and how those behaviors relate to brain changes.
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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.