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The G4C2-repeat expansion in C9orf72 is the most common cause of frontotemporal dementia and of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The variability of age at onset and phenotypic presentations is a hallmark of C9orf72 disease. In this study, we aimed to identify modifying factors of disease onset in C9orf72 carriers using a family-based approach, in pairs of C9orf72 carrier relatives with concordant or discordant age at onset. Linkage and association analyses provided converging evidence for a locus on chromosome Xq27.3. The minor allele A of rs1009776 was associated with an earlier onset (P = 1 × 10−5). The association with onset of dementia was replicated in an independent cohort of unrelated C9orf72 patients (P = 0.009). The protective major allele delayed the onset of dementia from 5 to 13 years on average depending on the cohort considered. The same trend was observed in an independent cohort of C9orf72 patients with extreme deviation of the age at onset (P = 0.055). No association of rs1009776 was detected in GRN patients, suggesting that the effect of rs1009776 was restricted to the onset of dementia due to C9orf72. The minor allele A is associated with a higher SLITRK2 expression based on both expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) databases and in-house expression studies performed on C9orf72 brain tissues. SLITRK2 encodes for a post-synaptic adhesion protein. We further show that synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2 and synaptophysin, two synaptic vesicle proteins, were decreased in frontal cortex of C9orf72 patients carrying the minor allele. Upregulation of SLITRK2 might be associated with synaptic dysfunctions and drives adverse effects in C9orf72 patients that could be modulated in those carrying the protective allele. How the modulation of SLITRK2 expression affects synaptic functions and influences the disease onset of dementia in C9orf72 carriers will require further investigations. In summary, this study describes an original approach to detect modifier genes in rare diseases and reinforces rising links between C9orf72 and synaptic dysfunctions that might directly influence the occurrence of first symptoms.

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a clinical, genetic, and pathologic heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we investigated the role of APOƐ4, rs5848 in GRN, and rs1042522 in TP53 gene as disease risk factors and/or phenotype modifiers in 440 FTD patients, including 175 C9orf72 expansion carriers. We found that the C9orf72 expansion carriers showing an earlier age at onset (p < 0.001). Among the clinical groups, the FTD-MND (motoneuron disease) showed the lowest survival (hazard ratio [HR] = 4.12), and the progressive nonfluent aphasia group showed the highest onset age (p = 0.03). In our cohort, the rs1042522 in TP53 was associated with disease onset (p = 0.02) and survival (HR = 1.73) and rs5848 GRN with a significantly shorter survival in CC homozygous patients (HR = 1.98). The frequency of APOƐ4 carriers was significantly increased in the C9orf72 noncarriers (p = 0.022). Although validation of our findings is necessary, our results suggest that TP53, GRN, and APOE genes may act as phenotype modifiers in FTD and should be considered in future clinical trials.

Background: The etiology of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is poorly understood. To identify genes with predicted expression levels associated with FTD, we integrated summary statistics with external reference gene expression data using a transcriptome-wide association study approach. Methods: FUSION software was used to leverage FTD summary statistics (all FTD: n = 2154 cases, n = 4308 controls; behavioral variant FTD: n = 1337 cases, n = 2754 controls; semantic dementia: n = 308 cases, n = 616 controls; progressive nonfluent aphasia: n = 269 cases, n = 538 controls; FTD with motor neuron disease: n = 200 cases, n = 400 controls) from the International FTD-Genomics Consortium with 53 expression quantitative loci tissue type panels (n = 12,205; 5 consortia). Significance was assessed using a 5% false discovery rate threshold. Results: We identified 73 significant gene–tissue associations for FTD, representing 44 unique genes in 34 tissue types. Most significant findings were derived from dorsolateral prefrontal cortex splicing data (n = 19 genes, 26%). The 17q21.31 inversion locus contained 23 significant associations, representing 6 unique genes. Other top hits included SEC22B (a gene involved in vesicle trafficking), TRGV5, and ZNF302. A single gene finding (RAB38) was observed for behavioral variant FTD. For other clinical subtypes, no significant associations were observed. Conclusions: We identified novel candidate genes (e.g., SEC22B) and previously reported risk regions (e.g., 17q21.31) for FTD. Most significant associations were observed in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex splicing data despite the modest sample size of this reference panel. This suggests that our findings are specific to FTD and are likely to be biologically relevant highlights of genes at different FTD risk loci that are contributing to the disease pathology.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease among the elderly with a progressive decline in cognitive function significantly affecting quality of life. Both the prevalence and emotional and financial burdens of AD on patients, their families, and society are predicted to grow significantly in the near future, due to a prolongation of the lifespan. Several lines of evidence suggest that modifications of risk-enhancing life styles and initiation of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments in the early stage of disease, although not able to modify its course, helps to maintain personal autonomy in daily activities and significantly reduces the total costs of disease management. Moreover, many clinical trials with potentially disease-modifying drugs are devoted to prodromal stages of AD. Thus, the identification of markers of conversion from prodromal form to clinically AD may be crucial for developing strategies of early interventions. The current available markers, including volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), and cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) analysis are expensive, poorly available in community health facilities, and relatively invasive. Taking into account its low cost, widespread availability and non-invasiveness, electroencephalography (EEG) would represent a candidate for tracking the prodromal phases of cognitive decline in routine clinical settings eventually in combination with other markers. In this scenario, the present paper provides an overview of epidemiology, genetic risk factors, neuropsychological, fluid and neuroimaging biomarkers in AD and describes the potential role of EEG in AD investigation, trying in particular to point out whether advanced analysis of EEG rhythms exploring brain function has sufficient specificity/sensitivity/accuracy for the early diagnosis of AD.

We analyzed the frequency of intermediate alleles (IAs) in the ATXN1, ATXN2, and HTT genes in several neurodegenerative diseases. The study included 1126 patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), 440 patients with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and 610 patients with Parkinson's disease. In all cohorts, we genotyped ATXN1 and ATXN2 CAG repeats. In addition, in the FTD cohort, we determined the number of HIT CAG repeats. The frequency of HIT IAs was higher in patients with FTD (6.9%) versus controls (2.9%) and in the C9orf72 expansion noncarriers (7.2%) versus controls (2.9%), although the difference was nonsignificant after correction for multiple testing. Compared with controls, progressive nonfluent aphasia (PNFA) groups showed a significantly higher frequency of HTT IAs (13.6% vs. 2.9% controls). For the ATXN2 gene, we observed an increase in IA frequency in AD cases (AD 4.1% vs. controls 1.8%) and in the behavioral FTD group (4.8% vs. 1.8%). For the ATXN1 gene, we found a significant increase of IAs in patients with PNFA (18.6%) versus controls (6.7%). In conclusion, our work suggests that the HTT and ATXN1 IAS may contribute to PNFA pathogenesis and point to a link between ATXN2 IAS and AD. (C) 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Background Several neurological and systemic diseases can cause dementia, beyond Alzheimer's disease. Rare genetic causes are often responsible for dementia with atypical features. Recently, mutations causative for Niemann-Pick type C disease (NPC) have also been implicated in neurodegenerative diseases. NPC is an autosomal recessive lipid storage disorder caused by mutations in NPC1 and NPC2 genes. In adults, clinical presentation mimicking other neurodegenerative diseases makes diagnosis difficult. Recent evidence suggests that heterozygous mutations in NPC genes may take on etiological significance. Objective To investigate the presence of NPC1 and NPC2 mutations in adults affected by neurodegenerative dementia plus. Methods We performed a genetic screening on 50 patients using a wide clinical and biochemical approach to characterize the phenotype of mutated patients. Results Sequencing analysis revealed four different and known heterozygous mutations in NPC1 and NPC2 genes. Patient 1 carried the p. F284LfsX26 in NPC1 and was affected by progressive supranuclear palsy-like syndrome. The remaining three patients showed a corticobasal syndrome and harbored the c.441+1G>A variant of NPC2 (patient 2), the missense p.N222 S mutation associated with the c.1947+8G>C variant in the splice region of intron 12 in NPC1 (patient 3), and the p.V30M mutation in NPC2 (patient 4), respectively. Filipin staining was abnormal in patients 1 and 2. mRNA analysis revealed an altered splicing of the NPC2 gene in patient 2. Conclusions Heterozygous mutations of NPC1 and NPC2 genes could contribute to dementia plus, at least in a subset of patients. We highlight the occurrence of NPC1 and NPC2 heterozygous variants in dementia-plus as pathological event.

ATENCIÓ: la correcció està també al DDD, cal relacionar??? https://ddd.uab.cat/record/226203 Altres ajuts: The following studies and consortia have contributed to this manuscript. Amsterdam dementia Cohort (ADC): Research of the Alzheimer center Amsterdam is part of the neurodegeneration research program of Amsterdam Neuroscience. The Alzheimer Center Amsterdam is supported by Stichting Alzheimer Nederland and Stichting VUmc fonds. The clinical database structure was developed with funding from Stichting Dioraphte. Genotyping of the Dutch case-control samples was performed in the context of EADB (European Alzheimer DNA biobank) funded by the JPco-fuND FP-829-029 (ZonMW projectnumber 733051061). 100-Plus study: We are grateful for the collaborative efforts of all participating centenarians and their family members and/or relations. This work was supported by Stichting Alzheimer Nederland (WE09.2014-03), Stichting Diorapthe, horstingstuit foundation, Memorabel (ZonMW projectnumber 733050814) and Stichting VUmc Fonds. Genotyping of the 100-Plus Study was performed in the context of EADB (European Alzheimer DNA biobank) funded by the JPco-fuND FP-829-029 (ZonMW projectnumber 733051061). German Study on Ageing, Cognition and Dementia in Primary Care Patients (AgeCoDe): This study/publication is part of the German Research Network on Dementia (KND), the German Research Network on Degenerative Dementia (KNDD; German Study on Ageing, Cognition and Dementia in Primary Care Patients; AgeCoDe), and the Health Service Research Initiative (Study on Needs, health service use, costs and health-related quality of life in a large sample of oldest-old primary care patients (85+; AgeQualiDe)) and was funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (grants KND: 01GI0102, 01GI0420, 01GI0422, 01GI0423, 01GI0429, 01GI0431, 01GI0433, 01GI0434; grants KNDD: 01GI0710, 01GI0711, 01GI0712, 01GI0713, 01GI0714, 01GI0715, 01GI0716; grants Health Service Research Initiative: 01GY1322A, 01GY1322B, 01GY1322C, 01GY1322D, 01GY1322E, 01GY1322F, 01GY1322G). Alfredo Ramirez was partly supported by the ADAPTED consortium: Alzheimer's disease Apolipoprotein Pathology for Treatment Elucidation and Development, which has received funding from the Innovative Medicines Initiative 2 Joint Undertaking under grant agreement No 115975. Brain compendium: This work was funded by the UK Medical Research Council (13044). P.F.C. is a Wellcome Trust principal Fellow (212219/Z/18/Z) and a UK NIHR Senior Investigator, who receives support from the Medical Research Council Mitochondrial Biology Unit (MC_UU_00015/9), and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre based at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Cambridge. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR, or the Department of Health.Clinical AD, Sweden: We would like to thank UCL Genomics for performing the genotyping analyses. Danish data: The studies behind the Danish long-lived cases received funding from The National Program for Research Infrastructure 2007 (grant no. 09-063256), the Danish Agency for Science Technology and Innovation, the Velux Foundation, the US National Institute of Health (P01 AG08761), the Danish Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation/The Danish Council for Independent Research (grant no. 11-107308), the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2011) under grant agreement no. 259679, the INTERREG 4 A programme Syddanmark-Schleswig-K.E.R.N. (by EU funds from the European Regional Development Fund), the CERA Foundation (Lyon), the AXA Research Fund, Paris, and The Health Foundation (Helsefonden), Copenhagen, Denmark. The GOYA study was conducted as part of the activities of the Danish Obesity Research Centre (DanORC, www.danorc.dk) and The MRC centre for Causal Analyses in Translational Epidemiology (MRC CAiTE). The genotyping for GOYA was funded by the Wellcome Trust (WT 084762). GOYA is a nested study within The Danish National Birth Cohort which was established with major funding from the Danish National Research Foundation. Additional support for this cohort has been obtained from the Pharmacy Foundation, the Egmont Foundation, The March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation, the Augustinus Foundation, and the Health Foundation. Fundació ACE (FACE): We would like to thank patients and controls who participated in this project. We are indebted to Trinitat Port-Carbó and her family for their support of Fundació ACE research programs. Fundació ACE collaborates with the Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED, Spain) and is one of the participating centers of the Dementia Genetics Spanish Consortium (DEGESCO). Agustín Ruiz has received support from the EU/EFPIA Innovative Medicines Initiative Joint Undertaking ADAPTED Grant No. 115975 and by grants PI13/02434 and PI16/01861. Acción Estratégica en Salud, integrated in the Spanish National R + D + I Plan and financed by ISCIII (Instituto de Salud Carlos III)-Subdirección General de Evaluación and the Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER- "Una manera de Hacer Europa"), by Fundación bancaria "La Caixa" and Grifols SA (GR@ACE project). Genetics of Healthy Ageing Study (GEHA - NL): The work described in this paper was funded mainly by the EU GEHA Project contract no. LSHM-CT-2004-503-270. Gothenburg Birth Cohort (GBC) Studies: We would like to thank UCL Genomics for performing the genotyping analyses. The studies were supported by The Stena Foundation, The Swedish Research Council (2015-02830, 2013-8717), The Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Wellfare (2013-1202, 2005-0762, 2008-1210, 2013-2300, 2013-2496, 2013-0475), The Brain Foundation, Sahlgrenska University Hospital (ALF), The Alzheimer's Association (IIRG-03-6168), The Alzheimer's Association Zenith Award (ZEN-01-3151), Eivind och Elsa K:son Sylvans Stiftelse, The Swedish Alzheimer Foundation. International FTD-Genomics Consortium (IFGC): International FTD-Genomics Consortium (IFGC): The authors thank the IFGC for providing relevant data to support the analyses presented in this manuscript. Further acknowledgments for IFGC (https://ifgcsite.wordpress.com/), e.g. full members list and affiliations, are found in the online supplementary files. IPDGC (​The International Parkinson Disease Genomics Consortium): We also would like to thank all members of the International Parkinson Disease Genomics Consortium (IPDGC). See for a complete overview of members, acknowledgements and funding http://pdgenetics.org/partners. Kompetenznetz Multiple Sklerose (KKNMS): This work was supported by the German Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF) as part of the "German Competence Network Multiple Sclerosis" (KKNMS) (grant nos. 01GI0916 and 01GI0917) and the Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy). TA was supported by the BMBF through the Integrated Network IntegraMent, under the auspices of the e:Med Programme (01ZX1614J). BH was supported by the EU Horizon 2020 project MultipleMS.Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA) is largely supported by a grant from the Netherlands Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sports, Directorate of Long-Term Care. The authors are grateful to all LASA participants, the fieldwork team and all researchers for their ongoing commitment to the study. Leiden Longevity Study: This study was supported by a grant from the Innovation-Oriented Research Program on Genomics (SenterNovem IGE05007), the Centre for Medical Systems Biology, and the Netherlands Consortium for Healthy Ageing (Grant 050-060-810), all in the framework of the Netherlands Genomics Initiative/Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) and by Unilever Colworth.Maria Carolina Dalmasso: Georg Forster Research Award (Alexander von Humboldt Foundation). Mayo Clinic AD, DLB, PD, PSP: We thank the patients and their families for their participation, without whom these studies would not have been possible. Funding for this work was supported by National Institute on Aging [RF AG051504 to NET.; U01 AG046139 to NET]; and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke [R01 NS080820 to NET; P50 NS072187]. The Mayo Clinic is a Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA) Research Center of Excellence, American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) Information and Referral Center and Center for Advanced Research, NINDS Tau Center without Walls (U54-NS100693) and is supported by Mayo Clinic AD and related dementias genetics program, The Little Family Foundation, the Mangurian Foundation for Lewy body research and NINDS R01 NS078086 (to OAR). The PD program at the Mayo Clinic Florida is also supported by the Mayo Clinic Center for Regenerative Medicine, Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic Neuroscience Focused Research Team (Cecilia and Dan Carmichael Family Foundation, and the James C. and Sarah K. Kennedy Fund for Neurodegenerative Disease Research at Mayo Clinic in Florida), the gift from Carl Edward Bolch, Jr., and Susan Bass Bolch, and The Sol Goldman Charitable Trust. Samples included in this study are from the brain bank at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville which is supported by CurePSP The online version of this article (10.1007/s00401-019-02026-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Mutations in the microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT) gene cause autosomal dominant frontotemporal lobar degeneration with tau inclusions (FTLD-tau). MAPT p.R406W carriers present clinically with progressive memory loss and neuropathologically with neuronal and glial tauopathy. However, the pathogenic events triggered by the expression of the mutant tau protein remain poorly understood. To identify the genes and pathways that are dysregulated in FTLD-tau, we performed transcriptomic analyses in induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)–derived neurons carrying MAPT p.R406W and CRISPR/Cas9-corrected isogenic controls. We found that the expression of the MAPT p.R406W mutation was sufficient to create a significantly different transcriptomic profile compared with that of the isogeneic controls and to cause the differential expression of 328 genes. Sixty-one of these genes were also differentially expressed in the same direction between MAPT p.R406W carriers and pathology-free human control brains. We found that genes differentially expressed in the stem cell models and human brains were enriched for pathways involving gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors and pre-synaptic function. The expression of GABA receptor genes, including GABRB2 and GABRG2, were consistently reduced in iPSC-derived neurons and brains from MAPT p.R406W carriers. Interestingly, we found that GABA receptor genes, including GABRB2 and GABRG2, are significantly lower in symptomatic mouse models of tauopathy, as well as in brains with progressive supranuclear palsy. Genome wide association analyses reveal that common variants within GABRB2 are associated with increased risk for frontotemporal dementia (P −3). Thus, our systems biology approach, which leverages molecular data from stem cells, animal models, and human brain tissue can reveal novel disease mechanisms. Here, we demonstrate that MAPT p.R406W is sufficient to induce changes in GABA-mediated signaling and synaptic function, which may contribute to the pathogenesis of FTLD-tau and other primary tauopathies.

Objective: To report, for the first time, a large autosomal dominant Alzheimer disease (AD) family in which the APP A713T mutation is present in the homozygous and heterozygous state. To date, the mutation has been reported as dominant, and in the heterozygous state associated with familial AD and cerebrovascular lesions. Methods: The family described here has been genealogically reconstructed over 6 generations dating back to the 19th century. Plasma β-amyloid peptide was measured. Sequencing of causative AD genes was performed. Results: Twenty-one individuals, all but 1 born from 2 consanguineous unions, were studied: 8 were described as affected through history, 5 were studied clinically and genetically, and 8 were asymptomatic at-risk subjects. The A713T mutation was detected in the homozygous state in 3 patients and in the heterozygous state in 8 subjects (6 asymptomatic and 2 affected). Conclusions: Our findings, also supported by the β-amyloid plasma assay, confirm (1) the pathogenic role of the APP A713T mutation, (2) the specific phenotype (AD with cerebrovascular lesions) associated with this mutation, and (3) the large span of age at onset, not influenced by APOE , TOMM40 , and TREM2 genes. No substantial differences concerning clinical phenotype were evidenced between heterozygous and homozygous patients, in line with the classic definition of dominance. Therefore, in this study, AD followed the classic definition of a dominant disease, contrary to that reported in a previously described AD family with recessive APP mutation. This confirms that genetic AD may be considered a disease with dominant and recessive traits of inheritance.

Background Several genetic variants playing a key role in cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and vascular dysfunction influence the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VaD). The many meta-analysis studies carried out on large numbers of samples in different populations have not provided clear results to date, because a trans-ethnic shift of risk genotypes in different populations is often observed. Objectives To determine genotypes allele frequencies of the polymorphisms most frequently identified to be correlated with cardio-cerebrovascular disease and AD in a Southern Italy population and to investigate their possible association with dementia. Methods The genotype and allele frequencies of 13 cardio-cerebrovascular risk polymorphisms were assessed and their possible association with dementia was investigated in a case-control study, including 221 consecutive unrelated subjects diagnosed with dementia (120 subjects affected by AD, 55 by frontotemporal dementia, and 33 by vascular dementia) and 218 matched controls of Calabrian origin. Results Carriers of at least one APOEɛ4 allele resulted to be at higher risk of AD [OR(95% CI) = 2.721(1.477-5.011)] and VaD [OR(95% CI) = 6.205(2.356-16.342)] compared to non-carriers. Individuals with the IV genotype of the CETP polymorphism were more likely to have AD [OR(95% CI) = 2.427(1.364-4.319)] and VaD [OR(95% CI) = 3.649(1.455-9.152)] compared to subjects with the II-VV genotypes. Conclusion CETP I405V polymorphism is likely a risk factor for AD and VaD in our cohort, independent of APOEɛ4 status. Unmodifiable genetic risk factors should be taken into account to promote a healthy lifestyle to prevent dementia.

Background: Loss-of-function mutations in GRN cause frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). Patients with GRN mutations present with a uniform subtype of TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) pathology at autopsy (FTLD-TDP type A); however, age at onset and clinical presentation are variable, even within families. We aimed to identify potential genetic modifiers of disease onset and disease risk in GRN mutation carriers. Methods: The study was done in three stages: a discovery stage, a replication stage, and a meta-analysis of the discovery and replication data. In the discovery stage, genome-wide logistic and linear regression analyses were done to test the association of genetic variants with disease risk (case or control status) and age at onset in patients with a GRN mutation and controls free of neurodegenerative disorders. Suggestive loci (p−5) were genotyped in a replication cohort of patients and controls, followed by a meta-analysis. The effect of genome-wide significant variants at the GFRA2 locus on expression of GFRA2 was assessed using mRNA expression studies in cerebellar tissue samples from the Mayo Clinic brain bank. The effect of the GFRA2 locus on progranulin concentrations was studied using previously generated ELISA-based expression data. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments in HEK293T cells were done to test for a direct interaction between GFRA2 and progranulin. Findings: Individuals were enrolled in the current study between Sept 16, 2014, and Oct 5, 2017. After quality control measures, statistical analyses in the discovery stage included 382 unrelated symptomatic GRN mutation carriers and 1146 controls free of neurodegenerative disorders collected from 34 research centres located in the USA, Canada, Australia, and Europe. In the replication stage, 210 patients (67 symptomatic GRN mutation carriers and 143 patients with FTLD without GRN mutations pathologically confirmed as FTLD-TDP type A) and 1798 controls free of neurodegenerative diseases were recruited from 26 sites, 20 of which overlapped with the discovery stage. No genome-wide significant association with age at onset was identified in the discovery or replication stages, or in the meta-analysis. However, in the case-control analysis, we replicated the previously reported TMEM106B association (rs1990622 meta-analysis odds ratio [OR] 0·54, 95% CI 0·46–0·63; p=3·54 × 10−16), and identified a novel genome-wide significant locus at GFRA2 on chromosome 8p21.3 associated with disease risk (rs36196656 meta-analysis OR 1·49, 95% CI 1·30–1·71; p=1·58 × 10−8). Expression analyses showed that the risk-associated allele at rs36196656 decreased GFRA2 mRNA concentrations in cerebellar tissue (p=0·04). No effect of rs36196656 on plasma and CSF progranulin concentrations was detected by ELISA; however, co-immunoprecipitation experiments in HEK293T cells did suggest a direct binding of progranulin and GFRA2. Interpretation: TMEM106B-related and GFRA2-related pathways might be future targets for treatments for FTLD, but the biological interaction between progranulin and these potential disease modifiers requires further study. TMEM106B and GFRA2 might also provide opportunities to select and stratify patients for future clinical trials and, when more is known about their potential effects, to inform genetic counselling, especially for asymptomatic individuals. Funding: National Institute on Aging, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Italian Ministry of Health, UK National Institute for Health Research, National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, and the French National Research Agency.

Background Progranulin protein (PGRN) is a cysteine-rich growth factor encoded by the progranulin gene (GRN). PGRN mutations were identified in patients with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) and recently its role as risk factor has been described in patients with probable Alzheimer's disease (AD). To date, more than 100 genetic variants in GRN gene have been described and the pathogenic nature is still unclear for almost 36% of them. Objective Here, we describe three clinical cases carrying the PGRN variation Cys139Arg in order to increase the knowledge on the association of this variant to the clinical spectrum of FTLD. Methods The genetic analysis was performed using high resolution melting analysis. The Human Progranulin ELISA Kit was used in order to determine PGRN expression levels in the plasma samples. Results The three patients carrying the genetic variation showed three final different clinical diagnosis, respectively behavioral frontotemporal dementia, semantic dementia, and corticobasal syndrome, thus underlining the clinical heterogeneity typically associated with GRN mutations. All cases shared similar plasma PGRN levels that resulted intermediate between those measured in controls and in GRN null mutation carriers, showing a partial reduction of the protein in plasma. Moreover, according to the bioinformatics software, the Cys139Arg variation causes a decreased stability of the structure of the protein. Conclusion We describe three new patients affected by neurological syndromes included in the clinical spectrum of FTLD carrying the Cys139Arg genetic variant, thus suggesting a possible implication in the pathogenesis of FTLD.

Mutations in the amyloid-beta protein precursor (AbetaPP) gene can cause autosomal dominant early-onset Alzheimer's disease, or Alzheimer's disease (AD) associated with cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), cerebral hemorrhage, or both. We have previously reported that the AbetaPP A713T mutation is associated with AD and subcortical ischemic lesions at magnetic resonance imaging in a large family which neuropathology confirmed CAA, stroke, and AD lesions. The objective of this clinical and molecular study was to investigate AbetaPP gene mutations in 59 patients affected by AD with cerebrovascular lesions (CVLs) and a family history of dementia. We identified three affected subjects with the AbetaPP A713T mutation. Since the prevalence of this mutation worldwide is very low, a common founder could exist in southern Italy. The pathogenicity of this mutation was confirmed and the clinical AD phenotype with CVLs seems to be a distinctive feature in the southern Italian population. The identification of these patients suggests that genetic epidemiology in large cohorts of familial late onset AD with CVLs would increase the probability of identifying AbetaPP mutations.

The rebuilding of the N family, a large Italian kindred affected by early-onset autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease (AD), provided an important contribution to the discovery of Presenilin 1 (PSEN1), the main gene responsible for familial AD. This pedigree was identified with the help of medical records from the archives of the Psychiatric Hospital of Girifalco, Italy. The clinical record of Angela R., an ancestor of the N family, dating back to 1904, showed a clinical picture of Angela R., consistent with a diagnosis of non-amnestic probable AD, matching the "dysexecutive" phenotype described in her descendants. The a posteriori diagnosis of AD is supported by the evidence of the causative genetic mutation PSEN1-Met146Leu as well as neuropathological AD features in her genealogically proven descendants. The clinical case of Angela R. was recorded at the same time of Alzheimer's description of Auguste D. Its discovery crucially contributed to the genealogical reconstruction of the N family, linking came from different branches, which until then were unrelated, to the same kindred. The archives of the Girifalco Hospital represented a valuable source of medical and historical information and were essential to the research on Italian-American AD families that finally led to the identification of new genes.

We identified the novel PSEN1 pathogenic mutation M84V in 3 patients belonging to a large kindred affected by autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease (AD). The clinical phenotype was characterized by early onset dementia in 14 affected subjects over 3 generations. Detailed clinical, imaging and genetic assessment was performed. We highlighted the presence of unusual symptoms such as frontal executive syndrome, psychosis and spastic paraparesis in these patients. Spastic paraparesis has been reported in other PSEN1 mutations in adjacent codons, suggesting that the position of the genetic defect may affect the clinical expression, although this phenotype can occur in mutations throughout the whole PSEN1 gene. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed diffuse cortical atrophy, but also atrophy of cerebellar lobules, mainly involving Crus I, in 2 patients without cerebellar motor deficits. These neuroimaging results were consistent with recent findings about the association between sporadic AD and distinct and circumscribed cerebellar atrophy. The present work acknowledged the novel PSEN1 pathogenic mutation M84V and might contribute to the ongoing debate about the involvement of cerebellum in AD.

Prion protein gene mutations have been associated with clinical pictures mimicking neurodegenerative diseases different from inherited prion diseases (IPD). We report a novel missense P39L mutation in the N-terminal domain of prion protein in 2 patients affected by frontotemporal lobar degeneration syndrome, negative for mutations in genes causative of dementia. Neither the first carrier, a 67-year-old male in which the onset was a progressive non-fluent aphasia, nor the second carrier, a 78-year-old male affected by frontotemporal dementia and parkinsonism, showed any clinical or instrumental findings suggestive of IPD. Genetic screening of healthy controls and in silico analysis provide support for the potential pathogenicity of this variant. Patient phenotypes, unclassifiable as prion disease, may depend on the location of the mutation in the N-terminal domain, outside the amyloid core of pathologic prion protein, although further functional studies are required to determine whether and how this mutation exerts its pathogenic effect. However, genetic screening of prion protein gene becomes relevant in familial degenerative dementia, particularly in geographical areas with high IPD prevalence.

Summary Background Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a complex disorder characterised by a broad range of clinical manifestations, differential pathological signatures, and genetic variability. Mutations in three genes— MAPT , GRN , and C9orf72 —have been associated with FTD. We sought to identify novel genetic risk loci associated with the disorder. Methods We did a two-stage genome-wide association study on clinical FTD, analysing samples from 3526 patients with FTD and 9402 healthy controls. To reduce genetic heterogeneity, all participants were of European ancestry. In the discovery phase (samples from 2154 patients with FTD and 4308 controls), we did separate association analyses for each FTD subtype (behavioural variant FTD, semantic dementia, progressive non-fluent aphasia, and FTD overlapping with motor neuron disease [FTD-MND]), followed by a meta-analysis of the entire dataset. We carried forward replication of the novel suggestive loci in an independent sample series (samples from 1372 patients and 5094 controls) and then did joint phase and brain expression and methylation quantitative trait loci analyses for the associated (p −8 ) single-nucleotide polymorphisms. Findings We identified novel associations exceeding the genome-wide significance threshold (p −8 ). Combined (joint) analyses of discovery and replication phases showed genome-wide significant association at 6p21.3, HLA locus (immune system), for rs9268877 (p=1·05 × 10 −8 ; odds ratio=1·204 [95% CI 1·11–1·30]), rs9268856 (p=5·51 × 10 −9 ; 0·809 [0·76–0·86]) and rs1980493 (p value=1·57 × 10 −8 , 0·775 [0·69–0·86]) in the entire cohort. We also identified a potential novel locus at 11q14, encompassing RAB38 / CTSC (the transcripts of which are related to lysosomal biology), for the behavioural FTD subtype for which joint analyses showed suggestive association for rs302668 (p=2·44 × 10 −7 ; 0·814 [0·71–0·92]). Analysis of expression and methylation quantitative trait loci data suggested that these loci might affect expression and methylation in cis . Interpretation Our findings suggest that immune system processes (link to 6p21.3) and possibly lysosomal and autophagy pathways (link to 11q14) are potentially involved in FTD. Our findings need to be replicated to better define the association of the newly identified loci with disease and to shed light on the pathomechanisms contributing to FTD. Funding The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and National Institute on Aging, the Wellcome/MRC Centre on Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's Research UK, and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) has a strong genetic basis, with familial forms occurring in 30-50% of cases. Causative genes have been identified, with an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance. Notwithstanding, in a number of cases with positive family history no pathogenetic mutation has been reported, and the role of genetics in sporadic cases is still unclear. The aim of the present study was to estimate the genetic contribution to FTD using concordance among parent-offspring pairs. Heritability of early-onset (EO

Background: LRRK2 mutations are common in familial and sporadic Parkinson’s disease (PD) cases. Objective: We present a screening of the most frequently mutated exons of LRRK2 in Calabrian population. Methods: Eighty-eight PD patients diagnosed according to standard criteria, underwent screening for LRRK2 mutations in exons 19, 21, 24, 25, 27, 29, 31, 32, 33, 35, 38, 40, 41, and 48. Results: Eight LRRK2 variations were identified in nine patients affected by PD, including three novel missense variations (p.Phe1227Leu, p.Gly1520Ala, p.Ile2020Ser) and five previously identified mutations (p.Ala1151Thr, IVS31+3A>G, p.Arg1514Gln, p.Gly2019Ser, p.Thr2356Ile). LRRK2 frequency mutations were approximately 10.2% in all PD patients, 12% in familial, 8% in sporadic cases. The p.Gly2019Ser mutation was found in 2.3% of the total cohort and in 3.2% of sporadic cases. The clinical features of LRRK2-associated with PD in our patients were similar to those of idiopathic PD although most LRRK2 mutated patients presented with bradykinesia instead of tremor; 33.3% developed dementia. Conclusions: We identified three novel LRRK2 mutations and reported a higher frequency in Calabria compared to previously reported data possibly due to the relative genetic isolation of the Calabrian population. These findings contribute to the understanding of the role of LRKK2 variations in PD and provide additional genetic insight into this disease.

Background: A hexanucleotide repeat expansion in the first intron of C9ORF72 has been shown to be responsible for a high number of familial cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). Atypical presentations have been described, particularly psychosis. Methods: We determined the frequency of the hexanucleotide repeat expansions in a population of 651 FTLD patients and compared the clinical characteristics of carriers and noncarriers. In addition, we genotyped 21 patients with corticobasal syndrome, 31 patients with progressive supranuclear palsy, and 222 control subjects. Results: The pathogenic repeat expansion was detected in 39 (6%) patients with FTLD (17 male and 22 female subjects); however, it was not detected in any corticobasal syndrome and progressive supranuclear palsy patients or controls. Twenty-four of 39 carriers had positive family history for dementia and/or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (61.5%), whereas only 145 of 612 noncarriers had positive family history (23.7%; p

The objectives of this study were to estimate frontotemporal dementia (FTD) prevalence, identify FTD-related mutations, and correlate FTD phenotype with mutations in a Southern Italian population. The study population consisted of subjects ≥ 50 years of age residing in the Community of Biv. on January 1, 2004, and a door-to-door 2-phase design was used. Genetic and biochemical analyses were done on samples collected from 32 patients. Prevalence rates were 0.6 for Alzheimer's disease, 0.4 for vascular dementia (VD), 3.5 for FTD, 0.2 for Parkinson dementia, and 1.2 for unspecified dementia. Three GRN (1 known and 2 novel) mutations with reduced plasma protein levels were found associated to 3 distinct phenotypes (behavioral, affective, and delirious type). We report an unusually high FTD prevalence in the investigated population, but a low prevalence of Alzheimer's disease. We confirm the heterogeneity of FTD phenotype associated with different GRN mutations.

We report a novel presenilin1 (PSEN1) gene mutation (I143 V) in a four-generation family with Alzheimer's disease. Clinical, molecular, and neuropathological examinations were performed on index patient; thirteen affected subjects were also identified. The index patient presented at 55 with personality changes, apathy, reduction of verbal fluency, and temporal and spatial disorientation. At 68, she showed visual hallucinations; blurred language, and rigidity. She became bedridden and died at 75. A novel mutation at codon 143 was found in PSEN1 gene, changing isoleucine to valine. The brain showed severe atrophy of the frontal and temporal lobes. Parenchymal amyloid-β (Aβ) deposits were abundant, diffuse to grey structures and contained Aβ42, but very few Aβ40. Amyloid angiopathy was absent. Neurofibrillary changes were severe. Our study confirms that PSEN1 mutations can be associated with unusual phenotypes. The peculiarity of the age at onset (not very early), the long course, and the frontal involvement, together with the rather complete absence of Aβ40 and of amyloid angiopathy, widen the spectrum of PSEN1-linked phenotypes.

The V363I mutation of the microtubule-associated protein tau gene has previously been associated with a case of primary progressive nonfluent aphasia with variable penetrance. Herein, we report the finding of the V363I variation in a sporadic early onset frontotemporal dementia patient and in several members of her family. The V363I variation was associated with frontotemporal dementia only in the proband which was also homozygous for the A allele of the progranulin single-nucleotide polymorphism rs9897526 and for methionine at codon 129 of the prion protein gene. The microtubule-associated protein tau V363I variation could be considered either an incomplete penetrant mutation or a rare polymorphism; although its pathogenicity has yet to be clearly demonstrated, modifier genetic factors seem to contribute to the pathogenic effects observed in the patient underlining the great complexity existing in neurodegenerative diseases and questioning so-called sporadic cases that can potentially be caused by gene mutation.

Prion protein (PRNP) gene mutations have recently been associated with clinical pictures resembling Frontotemporal dementia (FTD). We describe a novel seven extra-repeat insertional mutation in the PRNP gene in a family affected by early- onset autosomal dominant FTD previously reported as caused by a PSEN1 mutation in which there was inconsistency between clinical picture and genotype. Both mutations were pathogenic and showed a variable penetrance when present separately; when occurring together, the onset was very early, within the third decade of life. Genetic screening of the PRNP gene becomes of major importance in early onset autosomal dominant dementia.

Intronic MAPT mutations altering exon 10 splicing lead mainly to an increase of 4Rtau. The objective of this study is to report clinical, genetic, and neuropathological data of an apparently sporadic early onset frontotemporal dementia (FTD) case associated with 2 novel intronic MAPT gene mutations IVS10+4A > C and IVS9-15T > C that increase 3Rtau. Methods and subjects used are clinical, neuroradiological, and neuropathological examination; molecular genetics of MAPT, PGRN, and other relevant genes. Exon 10 splicing tested with minigene constructs. Tau deposits detected by immunohistochemistry. Sarkosyl-insoluble and soluble tau investigated by immunoblotting. Two novel MAPT mutations IVS10+4A > C and the IVS9-15T > C transmitted by the unaffected parents were identified. Semiquantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analyses on minigenes and in brain tissue showed that both mutations cause an increase of tau mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acid) transcripts lacking exon 10 only in the patient. Immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting of the patient's brain revealed tau deposits composed mostly of 3Rtau isoforms with a predominance of the shorter 3Rtau isoforms. The compound heterozygosity of the patient increasing 3Rtau seems to be responsible for the disease and furthermore suggests that sporadic cases can be caused by genetic mutations.

A clinical and molecular overlap between Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) has been reported. Presenilins have been associated with FTD or with FTD-like phenotype, while mutations in the MAPT gene have been linked to a clinical phenotype of AD. We performed a clinical and genetic examination in two FTD siblings and their family tree has been reconstructed. We identified a novel Val75Ala MAPT mutation in one patient and in the other the Arg62His Presenilin2 mutation. The DNA variations identified, defined mutations by frequency, per se are not causative of the disease. These mutations, possibly in association with other unknown environmental and genetic factors, may contribute to neurodegeneration. In this family, the disease might result from a genetically interconnected spectrum of altered pathways that could link most neurodegenerative disorders. Moreover, the novel mutation identified merits further functional studies that would contribute to the unravelling of such a complex field.

Background Frontotemporal dementia is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous syndrome. Mutations in two genes, Microtubule Associated Protein Tau (MAPT) and Progranulin (PGRN), and rarely Presenilin mutations, have been causally linked to this disorder. Objective To investigate the presence of PGRN, PSEN1, PSEN2 and APP mutations in a group of familial early-onset frontotemporal dementia (f-EOFTD) patients negative for MAPT gene mutations. Subjects and methods We prospectively studied 17 unrelated subjects diagnosed with f-EOFTD (one case neuropathologically confirmed as FTD-Ub+). Among these subjects eight belonged to eight autosomal dominant families unrelated to each other, and nine had at least one first degree relative affected by dementia. Results We identified two novel heterozygous mutations in two unrelated patients, Cys139Arg in the PGRN gene and Val412Ile in the PSEN1 gene. Conclusions Early-onset f-FTD remains a heterogeneous disorder from a genetic point of view. PGRN mutation frequency was low in our sample. The presence of a novel PSEN1 mutation suggests that presenilin molecular studies should be performed when screening for MAPT and PGRN genes is negative.