Recent breakthroughs in the last fifteen years have had a significant impact in frontotemporal dementia research identifying the most common underlying genetic basis. Research has since been expanding, identifying new possibilities for disease-modifying and symptomatic treatments.
Dr Ruxandra Dafinca has been awarded a Dementia Research Leader Fellowship to identify the key protein dynamics that drive synaptic dysfunction in frontotemporal dementia pathology.
This £549,855 award aims to use subcellular proteomics in patient-derived stem cell neurons to map intracellular interactions that drive synaptic dysfunction in frontotemporal dementia.
One of the earliest changes in frontotemporal dementia is the breakdown of synapses, but it’s not fully understood how this breakdown happens. Dr Ruxandra Dafinca will spatially map the organisation and distribution of proteins to understand which pathways are disrupted by TDP-43 aggregation. She’ll use this new understanding to identify novel therapeutic targets.
Ruxandra says "I am delighted to be awarded a Dementia Research Leader Fellowship from the Alzheimer’s Society. I am particularly excited by bringing together spatial proteomics, advanced imaging and stem cell-derived neuronal models to understand how the subcellular organisation of proteins, organelles and synapses is altered in vulnerable neurons in FTD. These technologies now allow us to investigate the earliest stages of neuronal dysfunction in unprecedented molecular and spatial detail. Ultimately, I hope these approaches will help us better understand why neurons become vulnerable in disease and lead us to new therapeutic targets that could make a meaningful difference for patients."
Dr Richard Oakley, Associate Director of Research and Innovation at Alzheimer’s Society said: “We've seen extraordinary progress in dementia research in the last decade. Breakthroughs like these are only seen when we ensure talented researchers can stay in dementia research. We are delighted to continue to build momentum in the field by investing in future leaders.”
The Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Research Leaders awards span the full spectrum of dementia research, with each project focusing on precise characterisation. More details on the awards and the researchers can be found on the Alzheimer's Society website.