EARLY CAREER INVESTIGATOR SPOTLIGHT
What are your research goals?
Dr. Vandebergh: Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is characterized by variability in age at onset, disease duration, and clinical presentation, ranging from language deficits to personality changes and impaired motor function. One-third of patients show a strong family history, with most common genetic causes of FTD being autosomal dominant mutations in the progranulin (GRN) gene, the microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT) gene, and the chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9orf72) gene. However, the presence of reduced or age-dependent penetrance adds further to the observed heterogeneity. A fundamental question is which mechanisms underlie this observed disease heterogeneity in FTD. The goal of my research is to reveal the genetic factors that contribute to patient-to-patient heterogeneity in FTD and understand their underlying biology. To this end, I aim to identify novel candidate genetic modifiers of disease onset by using a genome-wide association approach.
How are you involved with the RDCRN?
Dr. Vandebergh: I am a CReATe Scholar from a previous RDCRN funding cycle in 2024.
How does participating in the network support your long-term development?
Dr. Vandebergh: Being a CReATe Scholar provides me with the opportunity to network with leading experts in ALS and related neurodegenerative disorders, thereby it provides me with the opportunity to gain new perspectives and stay informed about the latest advances in the field.
