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FTD Biomarkers Initiative

This funding initiative is no longer accepting applications. AFTD continues to support critical biomarker research through our other grant programs, including our partnerships with the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) and Target ALS.

Biomarkers—characteristics that can be objectively measured as indicators of underlying biological or pathological processes—enable clinicians and researchers to accurately diagnose disease, monitor disease progression, and assess treatment outcomes. The development of specific and reliable biomarkers to differentiate FTD from other neurodegenerative disorders, distinguish FTD-tau from FTD-TDP, identify the earliest stages of disease, and inform drug development is an urgent priority for FTD clinical research.

The FTD Biomarker Initiative, a major AFTD funding opportunity demonstrated AFTD’s leadership in addressing the urgent need for FTD biomarkers. Between 2016 and 2021, we invested $5 million to support 14 innovative projects focused on advancing biomarker discovery and development for disorders across the FTD spectrum.

See Active FTD Biomarkers Initiative Award Recipients

FTD Biomarkers Initiative Scientific Advisory Board

Headshots / Jang-ho Cha, MD, PhD-1

Jang-ho Cha, MD, PhD
Global Translational Medicine Head, Neuroscience Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research (NBIR)

Headshots / John Dunlop, PhD-1

John Dunlop, PhD
Vice President, Neuroscience Research Amgen

Headshots / Mark Forman, MD, PhD-1

Mark Forman, MD, PhD
Executive Director, Translational Medicine Merck

Murray Grossman

Murray Grossman, MD
Professor of Neurology Director, Penn FTD Center University of Pennsylvania Medical School

Headshots / Carole Ho, MD-1

Carole Ho, MD
Chief Medical Officer Head of Development Denali Therapeutics

Keith A. Johnson Nuc Med Director of Molecular Neuro Imaging

Keith Johnson, MD
Professor of Radiology & Neurology Harvard Medical School Director, Molecular Neuroimaging, Massachusetts General Hospital

Headshots / David Knopman, MD-1

David Knopman, MD
Professor of Neurology Mayo Clinic – Rochester MN AFTD Medical Advisory Council

Headshots / Kimberly Scearce-Levie, PhD-1

Kimberly Scearce-Levie, PhD
Director, Preclinical Translational Biology Denali Therapeutics

Headshots / Ian Mackenzie, MD-1

Ian Mackenzie, MD
Professor of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine University  of British Columbia

Headshots / Leonard Petrucelli, PhD-1

Leonard Petrucelli, PhD
Professor of Neuroscience Mayo Clinic – Jacksonville FL

Headshots / Jonathan Rohrer, MRCP, PhD-1

Jonathan Rohrer, MRCP, PhD
Clinical Lecturer & Neurologist University College London Principal Investigator, Genetic FTD Initiative (GENFI)

Headshots / Philipp von Rosenstiel, MD-1

Philipp von Rosenstiel, MD
Senior Medical Director Neurology, Early Clinical Development Biogen

Headshots / Scott Small, MD-1

Scott Small, MD
Boris and Rose Katz Professor of Neurology Director, Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center Columbia University

Headshots / Stacie Weninger, PhD-1

Stacie Weninger, PhD
Chair Executive Director F-Prime Biomedical Research Initiative

Headshots / Henrik Zetterberg, MD-1

Henrik Zetterberg, MD
PhD Professor of Neurochemistry University of Gothenburg