Clinical And Biological Markers Of Disease Presentation And Progression In Early Frontotemporal Dementia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$507,636.00
Summary
Frontotemporal dementia accounts for 12-20% of all dementia cases and is as common as Alzheimer's disease in the < 65 year olds. Our understanding of this disease remains limited. This project aims to better characterise the range and progression of deficits in early frontotemporal dementia using tests of brain function and magnetic resonance imaging. This will assist in better diagnosis of these patients and, ultimately, may be used to monitor the outcomes of therapeutic interventions.
This study investigates how much an individual's genes and environment account for the wide variation in brain structure and function. Using MRI we will examine in what way a twin's brain is the same or different from that of their co-twin, and carry out analysis of their DNA to identify some of the many genes influencing the structure and function of the brain. The study will provide fundamental information on genetic mechanisms influencing variation in brain structure and function.