Abstract

Deficits in neurotransmitters are still poorly understood in Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD). In prodromal MAPT disease, dopamine and serotonin pathways were found to be impaired, but no significant findings were found in prodromal GRN disease. This suggests that symptomatic treatment strategies could be tailored with a better understanding of neurotransmitter impairment, particularly in the prodromal stages of the disease. Dopamine, serotonin, glutamate, and acetylcholine pathways were found to be involved in all genetic subtypes of symptomatic FTD. The strength of GMV localization of dopamine and serotonin pathways was found to be correlated with social cognition scores, loss of empathy, and poor emotional cue response. This study, which assessed neurotransmitter deficits in monogenic FTD indirectly, provides novel insight into disease mechanisms and may suggest potential therapeutic targets to combat disease-related symptoms.