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Frontotemporal Dementia Research Unit

Our research

We study frontotemporal dementia, the second most common neurodegenerative dementing disorder. Our focus is twofold: improving the diagnostic process through the use of biomarkers (PET and fluid biomarkers), and increased understanding of the disease mechanisms, mainly using MRI. Also, we participate in the development of international guidelines for the diagnosis and management of this disorder.

Aims

  • Improve diagnostics in frontotemporal dementia through the use of novel PET tracers.

  • Facilitate differential diagnosis between psychiatric disorders (depression, schizophrenia) and frontotemporal dementia through the use of blood-based biomarkers.

  • Understand the neural basis of the core symptom of lack of empathy in frontotemporal dementia, through the use of MRI.

  • Develop national and international guidelines for the disorder.

Impact

Frontotemporal dementia is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder without treatment. A key clinical problem, that also is a major hurdle to the development of new drugs, is a correct diagnosis which is one of our main goals.

How our research contributes to the goals of MultiPark

We develop new diagnostic methods and map disease mechanisms. Our research addresses the aim of MultiPark's working group 6. 


Research Team & Publications

Our group is a specific subgroup within a larger context of clinical memory research.

Read about publications and research team members of the Clinical Memory Research in the LU Research Portal. 

Profile photo of Alexander Santillo.
Photo: Charlotte Carlberg Barg

Alexander F Santillo

Associate Professor

alexander [dot] frizell_santillo [at] med [dot] lu [dot] se (alexander[dot]frizell_santillo[at]med[dot]lu[dot]se)

Link to Alexander F Santillo's profile in the LU Research Portal