There is increasing conceptual recognition that frontotemporal degeneration (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) represent the extreme ends of a complex clinical, pathological, and genetic spectrum. However, despite the concept of an ALS-FTD spectrum, in practice there remains minimal interaction and consensus between the FTD and ALS research communities. This lack of interaction risks duplicity or inconsistencies in our definitions of the biology and clinical concepts of ALS and/or FTD. Moreover, TDP-43 which commonly brings together ALS and FTD is also associated with aging and non-CNS disorders which challenge concepts from within our communities. We therefore will host a half-day workshop preceding the ISFTD 2024 meeting to learn from multiple perspectives both within the FTD and ALS communities and beyond. The program of this workshop can be found below.
This workshop is generously supported by Platinum level donations from the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD) and Gold level donations from PassageBio, Motor Neuron Disease Association (MNDA), and Lilly.
08:45 AM: Michael Benatar and Corey McMillan
- 09:00 AM: Clinical & Pathological Perspectives of LATE TDP-43: David Wolk
- 09:15 AM: Cognition & Behavior in PMA & PLS: Michael van Es
- 09:30 AM: Molecular & Clinical Lessons from VCP
- 09:30 AM: Molecular: Eddie Lee
- 09:45 AM: Clinical: Lindsay Alfano
- 10:00 AM: Discussion
- 10:45 AM: Motor & Cognitive Features of Language Disorders in ALS: Niall Pender
- 11:00 AM: Cognition & Behavior in SOD1 ALS: Monica Consonni
- 11:15 AM: Neuropsychiatric & Psychosis Features of ALS and FTD: Ted Huey
- 11:30 AM: Discussion (15 mins)
- 11:45 AM: Biofluid biomarkers of tau and TDP-43: Kathryn Cousins
- 12:00 PM: Emerging TDP-43 biomarkers: Len Petrucelli
- 12:15 PM: Discussion (15 mins)
Joint Lunch with Frontotemporal Prevention Initiative (FPI).
Please note: if you want to register for the afternoon FPI program, you need to register separately at their website: http://thefpi.org/