- Study Director: Bruce Miller, MD
- Sponsor: National Institute on Aging
- Official Study Title: Frontotemporal Dementia: Genes, Images and Emotions
- Conditions Studied: behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD), primary progressive aphasia (PPA), semantic variant primary progressive aphasia (svPPA), nonfluent variant primary progressive aphasia (nfvPPA), corticobasal degeneration (CBD), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer's disease (AD) and healthy aging
Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this study is to help understand the clinical, genetic, imaging, emotional and diagnostic features of frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The study collects longitudinal clinical, imaging, behavioral and autopsy data to be analyzed to improve clinical care for patients with FTD.
What to Expect
Testing: Neurological and physical examinations; interview with study partner; MRIs and PET imaging; cognitive testing; detailed family history; blood specimen collection for genetic testing and cell line generation; behavioral, emotional and personality testing; questionnaires for participant and study partner; pre-consent to obtain a brain autopsy. Participants will be asked to participate in additional studies affiliated with this project.
The Frequency of Visits: Depending on the individual, there will be an initial weeklong visit. A minimum of four days, typically from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., will be required. These days can be scheduled consecutively or split for convenience. Participants will be asked to return for a shorter visit in one year. Subsequent annual follow-ups may be in person or over the phone for up to three years. If participating in affiliated studies, the visit schedule could change.
Materials Needed Before Evaluation: MRI scan and medical records
Costs: No costs will be charged for any of the study procedures. Parking will be validated for the 1625 Owens Street Garage or 1630 Third Street Garage at the UCSF Mission Bay campus for all study visits. Participants are responsible for their travel to San Francisco and the hotel, should they choose to stay in one. Cab fare will be provided.
Contact Information
If you are interested in participating in this study or have any questions, please contact the nurse practitioner, Lisa Kritikos, RN, MSN, AGNP-C, at [email protected] or 415.476.1298. For patients with providers outside of the UCSF system, please fax your records for review to 415.885.7253.