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FTD and ALS: a tale of two diseases
Ferrari R, Kapogiannis D, Huey ED, Momeni P.. Current Alzheimer research, 2011-05-01
Topic: Brain proteins, microglia and lab models
The first reports of disorders that in terms of cognitive and behavioral symptoms resemble frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and in terms of motor symptoms resemble amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) bring us back to the second half of the 1800s. Over the last 150 years, and especially in the last two decades, there has been growing evidence that FTD signs can be seen in patients primarily diagnosed with ALS, implying clinical overlap among these two disorders. In the last decade pathological investigations and genetic screening have contributed tremendously in elucidating the pathology and genetic variability associated with FTD and ALS.
Key findings
- Over the last 150 years, and especially in the last two decades, there has been growing evidence that FTD signs can be seen in patients primarily diagnosed with ALS, implying clinical overlap among these two disorders.
- In the last decade pathological investigations and genetic screening have contributed tremendously in elucidating the pathology and genetic variability associated with FTD and ALS.
- To the most important recentdiscoveries belong TAR DNA binding protein [TARDBP or TDP-43] and the fused in sarcoma gene [FUS] and their implication in these disorders.FTD and ALS are the focus of this review which aims to 1. summarize clinical features by describing the diagnostic criteria and specific symptomatology, 2. describe the morphological aspects and related pathology, 3. describe the genetic factors associated with the diseases and 4. summarize the current status of clinical trials and treatment options.
- A better understanding of the clinical, pathological and genetic features characterizing FTD and ALS will shed light into overlaps among these two disorders and the underpinning mechanisms that contribute to the onset and development.
Why it matters
This review describes the clinical and pathological overlap between frontotemporal dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and the genes involved. It is a summary of disease biology and does not test any treatment or cure.
Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 41/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Current Alzheimer research) |
| Journal's citation record | 1 / 4 | Current Alzheimer Research: journal h-index 119 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 1 / 5 | 2011 — within 20 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 5 / 7 | Cited 273 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 3 / 5 | 16.1 citations a year over 17 year(s) since 2011 |
| Impact for its field and year | 3 / 6 | Cited 3.7× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 2 / 6 | Cited by 5 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 3 / 4 | Cited 56 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 2 / 4 | Last-listed author Parastoo Momeni: h-index 38 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 0 / 3 | Texas Tech University: institution h-index 686 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 2 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 21222600) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 41 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
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Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
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APA 7th
Ferrari, R., Kapogiannis, D., Huey, E. D., & Momeni, P. (2011). FTD and ALS: a tale of two diseases. Current Alzheimer research. https://doi.org/10.2174/156720511795563700
Vancouver
Ferrari R, Kapogiannis D, Huey ED, Momeni P. FTD and ALS: a tale of two diseases. Current Alzheimer research. 2011. doi:10.2174/156720511795563700. PMID: 21222600.
BibTeX
@article{ferrari2011-21222600,
author = {Ferrari, R. and Kapogiannis, D. and Huey, E. D. and Momeni, P.},
title = {{FTD and ALS: a tale of two diseases}},
journal = {Current Alzheimer research},
year = {2011},
doi = {10.2174/156720511795563700},
pmid = {21222600},
url = {https://doi.org/10.2174/156720511795563700}
}
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