The genetics of Frontotemporal Dementia probably one of the most rapidly evolving fields that we have in this space. Probably 10 years ago we didn’t really have any clues about Frontotemporal Dementia but now we see a lot of association with Frontotemporal Dementia and genetics.
We’ve come to recognise that Frontotemporal Dementia has a significant overlap with another brain disease called Motor Neurone Disease. So a number of patients with Frontotemporal Dementia will go on and get Motor Neurone Disease. And a number of patients with Motor Neurone Disease will develop a dementia like Frontotemporal Dementia. It seems the link is genetic, and there are an increasing number of genes that are being recognised as being causative for Frontotemporal Dementia and this overlap with Motor Neurone Disease.
This represents something that’s quite hopeful and promising, in terms of developing new therapies, because these genes obviously play a role with why the cells are dying. So what we’re hoping from these genetic findings, is to come up with new treatments and hopefully cures for both Frontotemporal Dementia and maybe even Motor Neurone Disease.
