CONFERENCE COVERAGE SERIES
International Conference on Frontotemporal Dementias 2016
Munich, Germany
31 August – 02 September 2016
As research on frontotemporal dementia gathers steam, the international conference hosted its largest gathering ever last month in Munich, Germany. More than 750 researchers shared their latest data on basic science, genetics, and clinical outcome measures. Biomarkers dominated the meeting, as the field prepares for therapy trials by seeking better ways to track pathology in living people. The few trials that have been done thus far, without specific biomarkers, have largely been a bust.
Frontotemporal Dementia: The Hard Work of Pushing Toward Trials
With a laser focus on biomarkers and disease mechanisms, researchers at the 10th ICFTD meeting prepared the ground for therapeutic studies.
First Round of FTD Therapeutics Fell Short, But Many More Are Up and Running
Researchers reported negative findings from three trials at ICFTD 2016.
Fluid NfL Shines, Tau PET Dims, in the Hunt for FTD Biomarkers
Researchers at an international frontotemporal dementia congress reported progress in finding markers that track disease, but no luck thus far with diagnostic markers.
Tests of Social Cognition Hold Potential as FTD Outcome Measures
Several such tests generated enthusiasm at the international frontotemporal dementia congress.
FTD Gene Hunt Turns Up CYLD and Modifying Factors
Geneticists at frontotemporal dementia conference reported a new link with a ubiquitine enzyme and strengthened other gene associations.
New Data Reinforces Concept of Protein Propagation
Sometimes challenged, the idea that pathogenic proteins spread through the brain got a lift from new animal model data presented at the frontotemporal dementia meeting.