Frontotemporal dementia

Frontotemporal dementia
often develops in the
40-60s age group

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD), which often develops at a relatively young age (40s to 60s), is a degenerative disease that causes gradual and progressive damage to the frontal and temporal regions of the brain. These areas of the brain are responsible for behaviour and language. 

As the disease progresses it often results in difficulty planning and organising activities, inappropriate behaviour, lack of self-care and increasing dependency on others. FTD-associated syndromes are responsible for about 10% of all dementia.¹ There are currently no treatments available to slow or stop the progression of the disease.

Behavioural variant
frontotemporal dementia

The most common type of FTD, called behavioural variant FTD (bvFTD), can cause early and progressive changes in personality, emotional ‘blunting’ and loss of empathy. A person with bvFTD may have difficulty controlling their behaviour, which can result in socially inappropriate responses or actions. Language may also be impaired after behavioural changes take place and movement and coordination difficulties may develop. Over time, these symptoms worsen. The bvFTD form of the disease is particularly aggressive and progresses faster than Alzheimer’s disease.

TauRx and bvFTD

We conducted a late-stage clinical trial in bvFTD, published in 2020, which found the drug we are developing for the potential treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (hydromethylthionine) also has significant pharmacological activity in bvFTD.