Epidemiological Study in Frontotemporal Dementia (EFRONT)
Summary
Background
EFRONT is a single visit, multi-center, non-interventional study that investigates the prevalence of genetic etiologies in Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) by genotyping patients diagnosed with or suspected of FTD.
FTD is a genetically and pathologically heterogeneous neurodegenerative disease caused by the loss or damage of nerve cells in the brain’s frontal and temporal lobes. As a result, there are abnormalities in behavior, personality, and language comprehension problems, like lack of interest, judgment, loss of empathy, and apathy.
Clinical Trials
Study access on CentoPortal® for participating physicians
Study Rationale & Procedure
Study Rationale
FTD is a rare neurodegenerative disease and the most common form of dementia for people under the age of 60. It affects approximately 110,000 patients in the European Union and an estimated 50,000 to 60,000 in the United States. Unlike other neurological diseases, FTD shares similar clinical phenotypes, making it difficult to diagnose.
Up to 30% of all cases worldwide are caused by genetic mutations, including the progranulin gene mutation (FTD-GRN).
FTD-GRN represents 5% to 10% of FTD patients, with many others having a genetic cause of this disease. To better determine varying genetic causes and phenotypic differences, we aim to better understand the pathobiology and genetics of FTD through this study. This clinical study targets to enroll 4500 participants at study centers in Germany, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Belgium, Turkey and Greece.
Find out how you can participate: ClinicalTrials.gov
There are currently no FDA-approved treatment options available for FTD patients.
Study Procedure
Blood is drawn from the patients who fulfill the eligibility criteria and applied to a CE-labelled filter card called CentoCard® that employs Dried Blood Spot (DBS) technology.
The dried blood samples are then analysed for genes associated with FTD, including GRN (Progranulin), MAPT (Microtubule-associated protein tau), C9ORF72 (chromosome 9 open reading frame 72), and others.
Inclusion Criteria
| Inclusion Criteria |
|---|
| Participant is aged between 25 to 85 years |
| Participant has FTD |
| Participant having a marked behavioral change |
| Participant fulfilling the diagnostic criteria for primary progressive aphasia (PPA) |
In what ways does this study help patients?
- Test results may confirm a diagnosis that has implications for the patient and their family
- The patients may fulfill the eligibility criteria for other clinical trials based on the test results
Working Together for a Better Tomorrow
The EFRONT Study is being conducted with support from Alector, Inc. Alector is a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering immuno-neurology, a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Alector has discovered and is developing a broad portfolio of innate immune system programs, designed to functionally repair genetic mutations that cause dysfunction of the brain’s immune system and enable rejuvenated immune cells to counteract emerging brain pathologies.
Resources
Quick Links
Useful Links
EFRONT Study Contact
For more information, please contact
Dr. Jefri Jeya Paul, Senior Clinical Project Manager
Clinical Studies Department
CENTOGENE GmbH
Am Strande 7
18055 Rostock
Germany
Email: jefri.paul@centogene.com