title: Recent advances in the molecular genetics of frontotemporal lobar degeneration.
abstract: The term frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) describes a spectrum of neurodegenerative disorders associated with deposition of misfolded proteins in the frontal and temporal lobes. Up to 40% of FTLD patients reports a family history of neurodegeneration, and approximately 1/3 of familial cases shows an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance of the phenotype. Over the past two decades, several causative and susceptibility genes for FTLD have been discovered, supporting the notion that genetic factors are important contributors to the disease processes. Genetic variants in three genes, MAPT, GRN and C9orf72, account for about half of familial FTLD cases. In addition, rare defects in the CHMP2B, VCP, TARDBP, SQSTM1, FUS, UBQLN, OPTN, TREM2, CHCHD10 and TBK1 genes have been described. Additional genes are expected to be found in near future. The purpose of this review is to describe recent advances in the molecular genetics of the FTLD spectrum and to discuss implications for genetic counseling.
authors.forename: Innocenzo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rainero
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rubino
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Michelerio
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: D'Agata
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gentile
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pinessi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D057174:Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration / Q000235:genetics*; D015870:Gene Expression; D005817:Genetic Counseling; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008967:Molecular Biology / Q000639:trends*; D009154:Mutation; D010641:Phenotype; D012307:Risk Factors