Journalists: For links to video and audio files, see the bottom of this post.
Neuroscientists at Mayo Clinic in Florida have found a genetric abnormality they say is the most common cause of two different but related forms of neurodegenerative disease – frontotemproal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. The study will be published in the Sept. 21 online issue of Neuron.
To read the entire news release, click here
Journalists: The following video and audio clips are available for download and use in your stories.
Overview: MOV MP3
Disease Similarities: MOV MP3
Study Findings: MOV MP3
Below is a link to an edited youtube video with Dr. Rademakers that you can embed with your stories.
Finally???????? what about the cure?
My father has vascular dementia and his father died of ALS – also under a phychiatrist care for frontal dementia – on Depakote – he has all symptons of the first 2 categories – my mother has the third one. having a difficult with both – they are in assisted living – but everyday is a challenge – dad now has an aide all day – so expensive.
sorry for spelling errors
Hi Cathy,
I’m the editor of MDA’s ALS Newsmagazine, and I would like to talk with you offline if possible. Could you contact me at cmedvescek@mdausa.org, or 520-529-5472?
Thank you in advance!
Christina Medvescek
My Dad was diagnoised with FTD 4 1/2 years ago. It took nearly 3 years to figure it out. He’s 64 now and going into the final stages. His brother is 60 and has just been diagnoised with it…I would throw myself into a study to help find out more about this horrible disease. I am fearful for my brother, me and my own children. I’ve been told it was the gene mutation 17 and my Dad should be tested and if he doesn’t have it then it can’t be passed on from him. This said gene mutation 9. I would like to know more….or where I can learn more and would it be easier to just get tested myself. If he does have the gene then I will definately want to be tested as well…so why not just find out if I have it first?
Please visit this link to learn more about FTD: http://www.mayoclinic.org/frontotemporal-dementia/
Lindsey, Please contact Dr. Kevin Boylan at 904-953-6915 for additional information.
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My 67 year old father has been suffering from an undiagnosed neurological disorder since January (or possibly earlier). In 11 months, he has wasted away to 125 1bs, suffers from constant muscle twitches and now slurred speech, cannot eat or drink and experiences more frequent issues with his mind (anger, depression and forgetfulness). He has been under the care of a primary care physician, a neurologist, a pulmonologist, and now a specialist at Tulane Medical center. He and our family are at our wit’s end…we don’t know what else to do except keep taking him back and forth for repeated tests. His symptoms sound like ALS to me and his neurologist suggested it, however gave an ‘inconclusive’ diagnosis. Why is this so difficult to diagnose? Where can learn about experimental trials/research studies that he may qualify to participate in?
A good friend of mine (64 years old) just got back from the Mayo
Clinic in Rodchester Minn. He says they confirmed that what he has is
ALS and most people feel it is a condition that he picked up from
Viet Nam since there is NO family history of it.
My question is, is this even possible????
Frank