Pathology, Molecular Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Landscape

FTD is the most common pre-senile dementia under the age of 60. Highly distinctive from Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and Parkinson’s Disease (PD), FTD manifests as personality changes, impaired language production and other executive function abnormalities due to progressive focal degeneration of the frontal and temporal lobes. Other rare dementias with intersecting pathobiology include vascular dementia, Lewy body disease, post-viral dementias, and chronic traumatic encephalopathy associated with brain injury. FTD and other rare dementias are much less well understood at the mechanistic level than AD and PD.

The inaugural Gordon Conference on Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) and Related Rare Dementias: Pathology, Molecular Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Landscape will highlight exciting recent discoveries across the spheres of basic, translational and clinical investigation. The meeting will highlight the evolving nosology of these disorders, biomarker development and the mechanistic basis for genetic and sporadic forms of disease. Particular focus will be on shared and distinctive features of these diseases. Invited speakers will be encouraged to present unpublished work and explore collaborative opportunities to catalyze the development of effective treatments for these disorders. Attendees are encouraged to submit abstracts as the final program will include many talks selected from these submissions.

Dozens of travel awards are available for graduate students, post docs, and junior faculty. If your ability to attend the meeting is limited for financial reasons, please apply to attend the meeting and then reach out to the chairs for information about travel awards.