A Strategic Analysis of International Research Funding for the Frontotemporal Dementias (1998-2008)
Download the Report and Appendices A, B1, B2, C-G (PDF).
Abstract:
The frontotemporal dementias (FTD) are the second leading cause of dementia in persons under the age of 65, representing 5-10% of all dementias. Despite their significant cause of disability and death in this age group, FTD research clearly lags behind that of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Although research during the past 10 years has contributed much to our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of FTD, little progress has been made in the development of effective therapies for the illness.
The landscape analysis reported here was commissioned by the Association for Frontotemporal Dementias (AFTD), in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF), to better understand the current state of relevant worldwide research for FTD. Identifying gaps in funding will allow us to better identify new strategic opportunities for accelerating the discovery and development of drugs for FTD. In addition, FTD and AD share some common disease pathways; therefore, much insight into FTD treatment development can be gained from analyzing and applying progress in AD to FTD.