The FTD & Genetics section of AFTD’s website has been newly updated to help families better understand FTD’s genetic risk and the options available for addressing it.

Approximately 40% of people diagnosed with FTD have a family history that involves relatives diagnosed with FTD or a related condition such as ALS. A subset of these cases can be traced to variants in one of several FTD-causing genes, most notably C9orf72, GRN, or MAPT. For families with a history of FTD, deciding whether to undergo genetic testing is a complex and personal issue with many different factors to consider.

The updated FTD & Genetics section helps families approach this complicated topic with concise, medically accurate information to guide discussions on genetic risk and some options available to address it, such as:

An additional section provides further resources on genetics and contains ways to connect interested families with organizations such as the FTD Disorders Registry that can provide further assistance.

If you have questions or concerns about genetic counseling, testing, or about the genetic risks of FTD in general, reach out to AFTD’s HelpLine at 1-866-507-7222 or info@theaftd.org