Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is often misdiagnosed in middle age, with symptoms resembling depression, schizophrenia, or Parkinson’s disease. However, researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), have made a breakthrough discovery that could lead to better diagnosis and treatment.
A new study published in Nature Aging has identified changes in spinal fluid proteins that may signal the onset of FTD early. The research analyzed samples from 116 people with inherited FTD and their healthy relatives, revealing over 4,000 altered proteins linked to RNA regulation and brain cell communication issues.
These findings could serve as an early biological marker for FTD, appearing long before symptoms become visible in middle age. Early detection is crucial, as FTD affects individuals in their prime of life, stripping them of independence.
The study’s authors hope that identifying these biomarkers will enable patients to access targeted care and clinical trials, potentially leading to more effective treatments. The research was funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other organizations, including the Alzheimer’s Association and the Frontotemporal Degeneration Association.
This discovery brings new hope for those affected by FTD, who often face long delays in diagnosis due to misdiagnosis or lack of awareness about the disease. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and develop reliable diagnostic tools, but this breakthrough marks an important step forward in understanding and treating FTD.
Source: https://scitechdaily.com/could-these-proteins-be-behind-dementia-in-your-40s-or-50s