Workshop on Defining the FTD & ALS Spectrum

There is increasing conceptual recognition that frontotemporal degeneration (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) represent the extreme ends of a complex clinical, pathological, and genetic spectrum.  However, despite the concept of an ALS-FTD spectrum, in practice there remains minimal interaction and consensus between the FTD and ALS research communities. This lack of interaction risks duplicity or inconsistencies in our definitions of the biology and clinical concepts of ALS and/or FTD.  Moreover, TDP-43 which commonly brings together ALS and FTD is also associated with aging and non-CNS disorders which challenge concepts from within our communities.  We therefore propose a half-day workshop to precede the ISFTD 2024 meeting to learn from multiple perspectives both within the FTD and ALS communities and beyond. The tentative program includes: