Musings on Memory and Aging

As trialists are retooling in the face of disappointing results in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), researchers in frontotemporal degeneration (FTD) are learning from AD woes and gearing up to take a seat in the front row. This year’s 4th International Conference on Clinical Trials in Alzheimer’s Disease, (CTAD), held 3-5 November 2011 in San Diego, California, included a session on preparing for treatment trials in FTD. Presenters made the case that trials in FTD may stand a better chance of succeeding than those in AD. As research has uncovered many molecular pathways common to FTD and related disorders ranging from the common (AD) to the rare amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), any treatments developed for FTD may have broad applications and energize the field of neurodegeneration as a whole. Read more

A new type of PET scan can accurately distinguish between Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia

Plaques made of amyloid protein are a defining feature of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) but are not typically seen in frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Unfortunately these plaques have not been able to be definitively identified until after the death of a patient, when tissue collected during an autopsy is analyzed with a microscope. Scientists have been searching for a disease marker that can be seen in living people for both accurate diagnosis and tracking the effectiveness of potential therapies. New research shows a marker developed to detect plaque in the brain may help doctors make a more accurate diagnosis between Alzheimer’s and FTD. Read more

The Hellman Visiting Artist Program was created to foster dialogue between scientists, caregivers, patients, clinicians and the public regarding creativity and the brain. The 2011-2012 artist is fiddler Heidi Clare. Her style and the material that she chooses to perform keeps alive the hundreds-years-old traditions established by immigrants who came to America starting in the 17th century. Come join her for a free workshop. Read more