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Frontotemporal dementia

Part of Dementia

5 published articles · Updated continuously

Clinical Trial Landscape

Clinical Trials for Frontotemporal dementia

11 trials tracked for Frontotemporal dementia: 1 in phase 3 or 4 and 1 with published results. The most-cited published study has 70 citations.

11Trials tracked
1Phase 3 & 4
0Recruiting
1With published results
Phase distribution
Phase 3 1 Phase 2 2 Phase 1 1 Other / NA 7
  1. Phase 3 The Healthy Patterns Sleep Study Completed · 70 cited
  2. Phase 2 Imaging Characteristics of Florbetapir 18F in Patients With Frontotemporal Dementia, Alzheimer's Disease and Normal Controls. Completed
  3. Phase 2 A Phase 2 Study to Evaluate Safety of Long-term AL001 Dosing in Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) Patients (INFRONT-2) Completed
  4. Phase 1 Flortaucipir PET Imaging in Subjects With FTD Completed
  5. N/A A Relational Research Recruitment and Engagement Intervention for Cognitive Aging Research Completed
  6. N/A Efficacy of Web-Based Social-Cognitive Interventions in Right Hemisphere Stroke and Frontotemporal Dementia Completed
Show 5 more trials
  1. N/A In-Home Technology for Dementia Caregivers Completed
  2. N/A Efficacy Study of Kinto Care Coaching for Dementia Family Caregivers Completed
  3. N/A Support Via Technology: Living and Learning With Advancing FTD Completed
  4. N/A Rural Dementia Caregiver Project Completed
  5. N/A Care of Persons With Dementia in Their Environments (COPE) in Programs of All-Inclusive Care of the Elderly (PACE) Completed

Showing the 11 most-cited and recently-updated of 11 trials. Browse the full registry →

Trial data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. Counts describe the research landscape and are not a treatment recommendation. Informational only — not medical advice.

What the trials found For clinicians

Frontotemporal dementia: what the trials found

In a large Phase 3 trial (N=421), an attention-control condition was evaluated for frontotemporal dementia, but no specific outcome results were reported 1.

A Phase 2 trial (N=33) found that AL001 increased CSF progranulin (PGRN) levels by 59.73% to 198.16% and plasma PGRN by 151.32% to 188.12% over time 2.

The Building Better Caregivers Workshop (N=418) showed mixed results: depression scores (PHQ-8) were 5.7 vs 7.1, stress scores 6.0 vs 5.9, and caregiver self-efficacy 5.4 vs 5.1, with no p-values reported 6.

Recent results — preliminary, needs further review

  • AL001 (Phase 2, N=33) demonstrated substantial increases in CSF and plasma PGRN, suggesting target engagement 2.
  • STELLA-FTD (Phase N/A, N=16) is being investigated as a recent intervention 5.
  • Building Better Caregivers Workshop (N=418) showed mixed effects on caregiver outcomes 6.

For the clinician treating this condition

  • AL001 shows promise in increasing progranulin levels, a key biomarker in FTD, but requires further validation.
  • Caregiver interventions like Building Better Caregivers Workshop have mixed evidence; consider individual patient needs.
  • Most trials are early-phase or unconfirmed; no established disease-modifying therapies are available.

AI synthesis of 4 cited trials, updated Jun 29, 2026. Informational only — not medical advice; trial data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. How we use AI.

HCP Mode — summaries include clinical detail, trial data, and statistical outcomes.
Patient Mode — summaries use plain language, avoiding clinical jargon.

Research across Dementia

Related studies from across the Dementia family.

Higher GrimAge epigenetic age acceleration is significantly associated with higher dementia risk
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One specific biological age clock, known as GrimAge, showed a link to higher dementia risk in a large study of over 46,000 people.
Social isolation and loneliness are significant determinants of cognitive decline and dementia risk in older adults
Psychiatry Sys. Review
Social isolation and loneliness are significant determinants of cognitive decline and dementia risk in older adults Social isolation and loneliness increase risk of dementia in older adults
This systematic review examines the impact of social isolation and loneliness on cognitive decline and dementia risk in older adults. The au…
Loneliness and social isolation are linked to faster cognitive decline and a higher risk of dementia in older adults.
Chronic pain is associated with poorer executive functioning and processing speed in dementia patients
Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine Sys. Review
Chronic pain is associated with poorer executive functioning and processing speed in dementia patients Chronic pain is linked to poorer thinking in people with dementia
This systematic scoping review explores the relationship between chronic pain and cognitive performance in individuals with dementia. The re…
Living with chronic pain may make it harder for people with dementia to manage tasks and process information quickly.
HMB and vitamin D enriched protein supplements may support muscle and cognitive health in dementia
Geriatrics & Aging Sys. Review
HMB and vitamin D enriched protein supplements may support muscle and cognitive health in dementia Nutrition Drink May Help Muscles In Dementia Patients
This narrative review examines the role of high protein oral nutritional supplements enriched with HMB and vitamin D for older adults at ris…
A high protein drink with HMB and vitamin D may support muscle health in older adults with dementia, but brain benefits remain unproven.
Mesenchymal stromal cells and MSC-derived extracellular vesicles may reprogram neuroimmune responses in neurodegenerative diseases
Hematology Sys. Review
Mesenchymal stromal cells and MSC-derived extracellular vesicles may reprogram neuroimmune responses in neurodegenerative diseases Stem cells and vesicles show potential for neurodegenerative diseases
This critical review examines the mechanisms and translational barriers of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and MSC-derived extracellular ve…
New research explores how stem cell products might protect the brain and repair blood-brain barriers in diseases like Parkinson's and Alzhei…
HRSN assessment tools lack sufficient psychometric testing and reliability data for geriatric populations
Neurology Meta-analysis
HRSN assessment tools lack sufficient psychometric testing and reliability data for geriatric populations New Review Highlights Gaps in Alzheimer's and Dementia Care Tools
This systematic review of 7 studies evaluated the methodological rigor and psychometric properties of HRSN assessment tools in older adults.…
Current tools used to measure social needs for seniors with dementia lack enough testing to ensure they are accurate for older adults.
Scoping review protocol to map living arrangement and carer variables in dementia help-seeking research
Primary Care & Family Medicine Sys. Review
Scoping review protocol to map living arrangement and carer variables in dementia help-seeking research Mapping How Living Arrangements Affect Help Seeking for Dementia
This is a scoping review protocol, not a completed study, that will map how living arrangement and supporter or carer related variables are …
New research plans to map how living situations and family support impact how people with memory problems seek a diagnosis for dementia.
Impact of Receptor Stimulating Antihypertensive Medications on Alzheimer Disease Risk in Elderly Patients
Neurology RCT
Impact of Receptor Stimulating Antihypertensive Medications on Alzheimer Disease Risk in Elderly Patients Certain blood pressure medications may link to lower dementia risk
Retrospective analysis suggests receptor-stimulating antihypertensives may correlate with lower ADRD incidence compared to receptor-inhibiti…
A large study of over 1.5 million seniors suggests specific blood pressure medications may be linked to lower rates of dementia and cognitiv…
Comprehensive dementia care interventions improve caregiver self-efficacy in those with lower baseline scores
Physical Medicine & Rehab RCT
Comprehensive dementia care interventions improve caregiver self-efficacy in those with lower baseline scores Comprehensive Care Programs May Improve Confidence for Dementia Caregivers
This secondary analysis of a randomized pragmatic clinical trial involved 2037 caregivers of community-dwelling persons living with dementia…
Caregivers of people with dementia can improve their self-efficacy and confidence through comprehensive care programs.
Non-pharmacological interventions for sleep disturbances in mild cognitive impairment and early dementia provide management guidance
Palliative Care Guideline
Non-pharmacological interventions for sleep disturbances in mild cognitive impairment and early dementia provide management guidance Sleep Care Plan for Early Dementia: Best Evidence
This integrative review and guideline identifies 44 evidence items across 11 themes for managing sleep disturbances in patients with mild co…
A new review maps 44 best evidence items for managing sleep problems in mild cognitive impairment and early dementia.
Impact of Domain Specific Physical Activity on Risk of All Cause Dementia
Neurology Meta-analysis
Impact of Domain Specific Physical Activity on Risk of All Cause Dementia High levels of physical activity linked to lower dementia risk
A massive meta-analysis of over 4 million participants reveals that specific types of physical activity significantly influence dementia ris…
Active lifestyles, especially during leisure time, are linked to a lower risk of developing Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.
Increased Risk of Dementia Diagnosis Among Individuals Diagnosed With Bipolar Disorder
Psychiatry Meta-analysis
Increased Risk of Dementia Diagnosis Among Individuals Diagnosed With Bipolar Disorder Bipolar disorder linked to triple dementia risk
A large-scale meta-analysis identifies a significant correlation between bipolar disorder and an elevated risk of dementia diagnosis.
People with bipolar disorder face a higher risk of dementia, a new analysis finds. The link is strong but the evidence has limits.

Questions about Frontotemporal dementia

How does the progression of frontotemporal dementia compare to Alzheimer's disease?

Frontotemporal dementia tends to progress faster than Alzheimer's disease, with shorter survival and quicker cognitive and functional decline, though symptoms and patterns differ.

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Are there specific retinal changes seen in frontotemporal dementia patients?

Yes. Studies show FTD is linked to thinning of specific retinal layers, especially the nerve fiber layer and ganglion cell layer, though these changes are not yet unique enough to diagnose FTD on their own.

Full answer →
Is there a difference in protein expression in frontotemporal dementia patients?

Research shows that patients with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) exhibit distinct patterns of protein expression, particularly in the blood and in response to inflammation.

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Are there specific retinal biomarkers used to identify frontotemporal dementia?

Research suggests retinal thinning on OCT scans may be a non-invasive marker in frontotemporal dementia, but no retinal biomarker is yet specific enough to diagnose FTD on its own.

Full answer →