Grant: Doctoral Research Award: Canada Graduate Scholarships

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a form of dementia that usually affects individuals under the age of 65. FTD symptoms overlap with other common forms of dementia like Alzheimer's disease, which makes it difficult for doctors to diagnose FTD. In addition to clinical care, the inability to confidently diagnose FTD hinders our ability to develop new treatments, as it is difficult to identify who should be receiving the new treatments as there is no simple test for FTD. A simple biofluid (e.g., blood) test for FTD is needed; however, we do not yet know what markers differentiate FTD from other forms of dementia. This study aims to accomplish this important step by identifying markers that are unique to FTD. To accomplish this aim, we will use brain tissue samples collected from individuals with FTD and compare them with samples from healthy individuals and individuals with other dementias. From this comparison, markers that are unique to FTD will be identified. We will then determine if these markers can be used to differentiate FTD from healthy individuals and individuals with other forms of dementia. This study is a critical first step toward developing a simple biofluid test for FTD.