Frontotemporal dementia (FTD), sometimes called Pick’s disease, is a rarer type of dementia mostly affecting people under the age of 65. Some cases of FTD may be inherited.
Some people with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) have a family history and the condition may be inherited.
In a particular form called ‘behavioural variant’ FTD, a third to half of people affected may have a family history. This figure is thought to be much lower for other types of FTD.
Several genes have been found to cause inherited types of FTD, including:
-
MAPT
-
GRN
-
C9orf74
-
MAPT
-
GRN
-
C9orf72
Faults in the MAPT gene can cause the protein it makes, called tau, to behave abnormally, forming toxic clumps that can damage brain cells.
Researchers are less certain about how faults in GRN and C9orf72 cause the disease.
Faults in the C9orf72 gene can cause people to develop motor neurone disease, FTD or both conditions, and may affect members of the same family differently.
In cases of FTD that are not caused by these faulty genes, researchers are still studying which risk factors might be involved in the development of the disease.
Genes and dementia
The booklet gives an overview of what genes are and how they are involved in the different diseases that cause dementia, along with information on genetic testing and current research.
Order health information
Alzheimer’s Research UK has a wide range of information about dementia. Order booklets or download them from our online form.
Dementia Research Infoline
Do you have questions about genes and dementia? Or are you keen to get involved in research studies?
Contact the Dementia Research Infoline
9am-5pm, Monday to Friday
0300 111 5 111
This information was updated in November 2024 and is due for review in November 2026. It does not replace any advice that doctors, pharmacists, or nurses may give you. Please contact us if you would like a version with references.
This information is produced with support from The Perfume Shop who had no input into the content.
Was this information helpful?
Let us know what you think by filling out this short survey.