The DPUK Neuroimmunology Team is setting up a new national study of frontotemporal dementia. The Open Network for Frontotemporal dementia Inflammation Research (ON-FIRE) will work with blood samples from specialist and non-specialist clinics across the UK. These will include communities and more remote areas that are too often under-represented in research.
Dr Maura Malpetti, who leads the ON-FIRE study, has recently discovered that blood tests of the immune system can detect changes associated with brain-inflammation and clinical progression.
The new study will also look at genetic and environmental factors that influence the immune system signatures, and optimise inflammation assays for frontotemporal dementia.
As part of the DPUK Neuroimmunology theme, ON-FIRE is based on collaboration and sharing, with the goal of accelerating clinical trials and new immunotherapeutic strategies.