Comparison of sporadic and familial behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in a North American cohort

Alzheimers Dement. 2020 Jan;16(1):60-70. doi: 10.1002/alz.12046.

Abstract

Introduction: Behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) may present sporadically or due to an autosomal dominant mutation. Characterization of both forms will improve understanding of the generalizability of assessments and treatments.

Methods: A total of 135 sporadic (s-bvFTD; mean age 63.3 years; 34% female) and 99 familial (f-bvFTD; mean age 59.9; 48% female) bvFTD participants were identified. f-bvFTD cases included 43 with known or presumed chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9orf72) gene expansions, 28 with known or presumed microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT) mutations, 14 with known progranulin (GRN) mutations, and 14 with a strong family history of FTD but no identified mutation.

Results: Participants with f-bvFTD were younger and had earlier age at onset. s-bvFTD had higher total Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q) scores due to more frequent endorsement of depression and irritability.

Discussion: f-bvFTD and s-bvFTD cases are clinically similar, suggesting the generalizability of novel biomarkers, therapies, and clinical tools developed in either form to the other.

Keywords: C9orf72; GRN; MAPT; bvFTD; clinical trials; frontotemporal dementia; genetics.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Brain / pathology
  • C9orf72 Protein / genetics
  • Female
  • Frontotemporal Dementia* / classification
  • Frontotemporal Dementia* / genetics
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mutation / genetics*
  • Neuropsychological Tests / statistics & numerical data*
  • North America
  • Progranulins / genetics
  • tau Proteins / genetics

Substances

  • C9orf72 Protein
  • C9orf72 protein, human
  • GRN protein, human
  • MAPT protein, human
  • Progranulins
  • tau Proteins