Understanding frontotemporal dementia and its link to ALS
Expanding insights into FTD disease mechanisms
Researchers are using lab and translational work to learn why frontotemporal dementia and some forms of ALS happen, aiming to help people with FTD or ALS.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Jacksonville NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Jacksonville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11241952 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This program focuses on frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and the overlap with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The team studies key disease molecules—like C9orf72, TDP-43, progranulin, tau, and TMEM106B—using laboratory models and human samples to uncover how the disease starts and progresses. They are also working to discover biomarkers that could enable earlier diagnosis and to explore targets for new treatments. The approach mixes basic science discoveries with translational steps to move findings closer to clinical use.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would include people with a diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia, individuals with overlapping FTD-ALS symptoms, and people known to carry mutations linked to FTD such as C9orf72 or GRN who may want to contribute samples or join biomarker efforts.
Not a fit: People with unrelated types of dementia or neurological conditions that do not involve FTD/ALS biology are unlikely to benefit directly from this specific program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could produce biomarkers for earlier diagnosis and identify targets that lead to new treatments for FTD and related ALS cases.
How similar studies have performed: Related basic and translational research has produced important biological insights and candidate biomarkers, but no definitive disease-modifying treatments exist yet.
Where this research is happening
Jacksonville, United States
- Mayo Clinic Jacksonville — Jacksonville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Petrucelli, Leonard — Mayo Clinic Jacksonville
- Study coordinator: Petrucelli, Leonard
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.