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.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Columbia University
New York, New York, 10032, United States
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Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Baltimore, Maryland, 21287, United States
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Massachusetts General Hospital
Charlestown, Massachusetts, 02129, United States
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Mayo Clinic
Rochester, Minnesota, 55905, United States
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Mayo Clinic Florida
Jacksonville, Florida, 32224, United States
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University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, California, 94158, United States
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University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States
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Washington University in St. Louis
St Louis, Missouri, 63110, United States
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