Pathophysiological aspects of frontotemporal dementia - emphasis on cytoskeleton proteins and autoimmunity

The aim of this study was to investigate two putative pathophysiological as pects of the common neurodegenerative disorder frontotemporal dementia (FTD ). To this end, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of tau (total tau) and the light subtype of the neurofilament proteins (NFL) were studied in patients with FTD (n = 16) and in age-matched controls (n = 16). In addition, serum was analysed for IgG and IgM antibodies to the most common gangliosides an d sulfatide in FTD patients (n = 13) and in age-matched controls (n = 20). The CSF-NFL levels were increased in FTD (1606 +/- 1151 pg/ml, mean +/- S.D .; P < 0.001) compared with controls (308 +/- 203 pg/ml), whereas the CSF-t au levels were normal. In serum, autoantibody IgG-GA1 was significantly inc reased in FTD (P < 0.05) compared with controls. No correlations were found between the effect parameters and demographic variables in any group. The results of this study suggest that cytoskeleton proteins other than tau are also involved in the pathophysiology of FTD and that autoimmunity may be p art of the pathophysiological processes in FTD, as it is believed to be in Alzheimer's disease. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights rese rved.