Simple blood draws could spot dementia years early

NCT ID NCT04516499

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tracks a protein called neurofilament light chain in the blood of 342 people who carry genetic mutations linked to frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Participants provide blood samples every three months for three years, often from home. The goal is to see if this biomarker can reliably signal disease onset or progression, which could help design future treatments.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

What this could lead to

If successful, this could help doctors detect frontotemporal dementia earlier and monitor its progression using simple blood tests.

What could go wrong

This is an observational study, not a treatment trial. It may not directly lead to new therapies, and results may not apply to all forms of dementia.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

frontotemporal dementia frontotemporal dementia with motor neuron disease Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration semantic dementia

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Columbia University

    New York, New York, 10032, United States

  • Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

    Baltimore, Maryland, 21287, United States

  • Massachusetts General Hospital

    Charlestown, Massachusetts, 02129, United States

  • Mayo Clinic

    Rochester, Minnesota, 55905, United States

  • Mayo Clinic Florida

    Jacksonville, Florida, 32224, United States

  • University of California, San Francisco

    San Francisco, California, 94158, United States

  • University of Pennsylvania

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States

  • Washington University in St. Louis

    St Louis, Missouri, 63110, United States