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Better understanding could mean earlier treatment The earlier that signs of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) can be picked up, the sooner people can be selected for clinical trials – and the more likely it is that treatment will work. Dr Imogene Scott travelled to the University of British Columbia after receiving the VJ Chapman Fellowship worth $125,200. She looked at whether people with genetic mutations that cause FTD show early changes in brain volume on MRI scans, or early changes in behaviour, memory and thinking, years before they’re diagnosed with FTD. This is a key step in being able to select patients for upcoming clinical trials. Dr Scott is returning to New Zealand to work at Auckland City Hospital and provide care to those with early-onset dementia, and hopefully the potential to participate in clinical trials, offering greater hope to Kiwis with this disease. “Frontotemporal dementia is a devastating neurological condition that oftenbegins before age65. There is currently no cure, but our research has provided a key step in identifying those at risk at an early stage, whenpotential treatments aremost likely to help.” Dr Imogene Scott