Research Projects
Mapping DNA switches in frontotemporal dementia
Awarded to:
Dr Conceição Bettencourt
Current award:
£254,381
Institution:
University College London
Dates:
3 July 2020 - 2 July 2023
Full project name:
Dissecting the methylome across FTD pathological subtypes – another path for treatment?
Diagnosis
Treatments
Understand
Risks
Symptoms
Researchers at University College London are studying how different chemical tags on DNA switch genes on or off in FTD.
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a rarer form of dementia, thought to account for around 5% of cases.
FTD can be caused by several different disease processes with each linked to particular symptoms and brain changes. However, little is known about what causes this variety in diseases.
Dr Conceição Bettencourt will study chemical tags on DNA which alter which genes are switched on or off in different types of FTD. The research will identify patterns of these chemical tags on DNA in specific types of FTD.
The project aims to help researchers understand what goes wrong in brain cells in FTD and identify markers of specific diseases that cause the condition.
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Dementia is one of the world’s greatest challenges. It steals lives and leaves millions heartbroken. But we can change the future.
