Diagnostic Tools for Frontotemporal Dementia

Overseen By Cristina Salvo, BSc, MD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University Health Network, Toronto

Disqualifiers: Alzheimer's, Brain injury, Stroke, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

100 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to improve the diagnosis of Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration (FTLD), a condition affecting the brain that alters behavior, language, and movement. The study is observational, examining how symptoms develop in various groups, including those with specific FTLD types and healthy individuals. Participants may qualify if they have a reliable person to assist with assessments and can speak English for testing. As an unphased study, this trial provides a unique opportunity to contribute to a deeper understanding of FTLD diagnosis, potentially benefiting future patients.

Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators.

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it aims to improve how we diagnose frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), a challenging condition to pinpoint early on. Unlike current methods, which often rely on clinical symptoms and imaging, this observational study gathers detailed data across several FTLD variants and healthy controls. By doing so, it may uncover subtle patterns or markers that current diagnostic tools miss. This could lead to earlier, more accurate diagnoses and ultimately better-targeted treatments in the future.

Who Is on the Research Team?

Maria C Tartaglia, M.D.

Principal Investigator

Toronto Western Hospital, UHN; Tanz CRND

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

Inclusion Criteria

Participant must have a reliable study partner who can provide an independent evaluation of functioning.

All subjects must meet one of these diagnostic criteria (A) probable behavioral variant FTD, (B) MRI-supported non-fluent variant PPA; (C) MRI-supported semantic variant PPA and [18F]T807 negative (D) probable CBS: using current criteria for CBS(27); (E) PSP: inclusion criteria for PSP are based upon the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Society of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (NINDS-SPSP) (F) FTD-MND

Control subjects must have a normal neurological exam, a CDR sum of boxes = 0, and MMSE score equal to or greater than 28

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Assessment

Participants undergo various diagnostic tests including brain imaging, skin biopsy, and body fluid samples

One time visit

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for structural and functional differences in the brain over the study period

5 years

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Observational Study

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Semantic variant PPA Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Observational Study

Group II: Progressive supranuclear palsy Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Observational Study

Group III: Non-fluent variant PPA Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Observational Study

Group IV: Healthy controls Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Observational Study

Group V: FTD-motor neuron disease Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Observational Study

Group VI: Corticobasal syndrome Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Observational Study

Group VII: Behavoral variant FTD Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Observational Study

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University Health Network, Toronto

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,555

Recruited

526,000+