New directions in clinical trials for frontotemporal lobar degeneration: Methods and outcome measures

Adam L. Boxer, Michael Gold, Howard Feldman, Bradley F. Boeve, Susan L.J. Dickinson, Howard Fillit, Carole Ho, Robert Paul, Rodney Pearlman, Margaret Sutherland, Ajay Verma, Stephen P. Arneric, Brian M. Alexander, Bradford C. Dickerson, Earl Ray Dorsey, Murray Grossman, Edward D. Huey, Michael C. Irizarry, William J. Marks, Mario MasellisFrances McFarland, Debra Niehoff, Chiadi U. Onyike, Sabrina Paganoni, Michael A. Panzara, Kenneth Rockwood, Jonathan D. Rohrer, Howard Rosen, Robert N. Schuck, Holly D. Soares, Nadine Tatton

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

Introduction: Frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) is the most common form of dementia for those under 60 years of age. Increasing numbers of therapeutics targeting FTLD syndromes are being developed. Methods: In March 2018, the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration convened the Frontotemporal Degeneration Study Group meeting in Washington, DC, to discuss advances in the clinical science of FTLD. Results: Challenges exist for conducting clinical trials in FTLD. Two of the greatest challenges are (1) the heterogeneity of FTLD syndromes leading to difficulties in efficiently measuring treatment effects and (2) the rarity of FTLD disorders leading to recruitment challenges. Discussion: New personalized endpoints that are clinically meaningful to individuals and their families should be developed. Personalized approaches to analyzing MRI data, development of new fluid biomarkers and wearable technologies will help to improve the power to detect treatment effects in FTLD clinical trials and enable new, clinical trial designs, possibly leveraged from the experience of oncology trials. A computational visualization and analysis platform that can support novel analyses of combined clinical, genetic, imaging, biomarker data with other novel modalities will be critical to the success of these endeavors.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)131-143
Number of pages13
JournalAlzheimer's and Dementia
Volume16
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2020

Keywords

  • ARTFL
  • Biomarker
  • C9orf72
  • Clinical trial
  • FTD
  • FTLD
  • Frontotemporal dementia
  • Frontotemporal lobar degeneration
  • GRN
  • LEFFTDS
  • MAPT
  • Primary progressive aphasia
  • Progressive supranuclear palsy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Epidemiology
  • Health Policy
  • Developmental Neuroscience
  • Clinical Neurology
  • Geriatrics and Gerontology
  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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