13 March 2026

An international team led by scientists from VIB and the University of Antwerp has recently discovered a key genetic factor that increases the risk of developing a rare form of frontotemporal dementia. This discovery, published in Nature Genetics, could improve diagnosis and pave the way for new therapeutic approaches for these still poorly understood forms of dementia.

Dementia research has just reached a new milestone. Scientists from VIB and the University of Antwerp, leading an international consortium, have identified a key genetic factor associated with a rare subtype of frontotemporal dementia called aFTLD-U. Their results, published in the scientific journal Nature Genetics, shed light on the biological mechanisms underlying this neurodegenerative disease.

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is less well-known than Alzheimer’s disease, yet it is one of the leading causes of dementia in younger people. Unlike Alzheimer’s, which primarily affects memory functions, FTD mainly affects the brain regions responsible for behaviour, personality, language, and decision-making.

A disease that is often diagnosed too late

The unique aspect of this condition is the nature of the initial symptoms, which can be misleading. Behavioral changes or personality disorders are often interpreted as psychological problems or work stress.

“Frontotemporal dementia often affects people who are still professionally active. Since the early symptoms can resemble ‘personality changes’ or stress, the road to diagnosis can be long,” explains Prof. Rosa Rademakers of the Center for Molecular Neurology VIB-UAntwerp.

This delay in diagnosis does not go without consequences. “Over time, careers and personal relationships can be severely affected,” the researcher continues.

In this context, a better understanding of the biological mechanisms of the disease is of crucial importance, both for the patients and for their loved ones.

A rare subtype that is difficult to study

Frontotemporal dementia is not a single disease, but a collection of neurodegenerative disorders with different characteristics. One of these is the particularly rare subtype aFTLD-U.

This rarity poses a major challenge for researchers. To study this type of disorder, a sufficient number of patients must be gathered to identify the genetic or biological factors involved.

“Because this subtype is so rare, it was difficult to study it on a large scale in the past,” emphasizes Rosa Rademakers.

To circumvent this obstacle, the researchers established an international collaboration to collect genetic data from various patient cohorts. This approach has made it possible to identify a genetic factor that significantly increases the risk of developing this specific form of dementia.

Towards more targeted medicine

In addition to identifying a new risk factor, this discovery contributes to better differentiation between the subtypes of frontotemporal dementia. An essential step in the development of targeted treatments. “Distinguishing between these subtypes is becoming increasingly important, because they can respond differently to therapies,” says Professor Rademakers.

In other words, better genetic insight would eventually make it possible to tailor treatment strategies to the specific biological characteristics of each form of the disease. This development fits in with the current trend towards more personalized medicine.

Hope for the affected families

For associations and foundations dedicated to dementia research, this discovery represents a significant step forward.

“These discoveries are a real victory in the fight against rare forms of dementia and offer concrete hope for the affected families by accelerating the path to early diagnoses and innovative treatments,” says Lucie Leroux, Head of Stop Alzheimer, the Foundation for Research into Alzheimer’s and related diseases in Belgium.

Translation: Gerda Eynatten-Bové

Source: Mediquality