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Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Geriatric Psychiatry and Neuropsychiatry

Research

Research in the Frontotemporal Dementia and Young-Onset Dementias Clinic covers a range of topics relating to the mechanisms and manifestations of the diseases, the costs and burdens of caring for sufferers, the quality of care and services, and the identification and development of effective treatments. The National Institute on Aging provides the primary financial support for our work through the Johns Hopkins Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Center, and our partnerships with advocacy organizations and the biomedical industry provide additional resources and perspective. Private foundations and individual donors also provide generous support for treatment and quality of care studies. We also collaborate with a variety of other university research programs.

Our current research studies focus on the following diseases:

Specific topics covered by our research include:

  • Disease manifestations and diagnostic methods
  • Clinical epidemiology (studies of risk factors and natural history)
  • Studies of neuropathologic, molecular, and genetic characteristics
  • Clinical trials and other treatment studies
  • Career burden and quality of care

Frontotemporal Dementias and Young-Onset Dementias

Vortioxetine for the Treatment of Mood and Cognitive Symptoms in Frontotemporal Dementia

Principal investigator: Christopher Morrow, M.D. 

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if vortioxetine improves mood symptoms and cognition in patients with early-stage behavioral variant Frontotemporal Dementia (bvFTD). The main questions this study aims to answer are:

  1. Do individuals with mood symptoms and bvFTD have brain changes and cognitive profiles that differ compared to individuals without bvFTD?
  2. Do mood symptoms and cognition improve following treatment with vortioxetine? Researchers will also determine whether there are changes in the brain associated with vortioxetine treatment.

More study details>>
Contact Email: [email protected]

Remote Blood Biomarker Monitoring in Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration: Neurofilament Surveillance Project (NSP)

Principal investigator: Chiadi Onyike, M.D., M.H.S.
Research program coordinator: Fiona Gail Sweeney [email protected]

The primary goal of this multi-site is to measure the levels of a protein called neurofilament light chain in the blood of individuals who are members of family with genetic FTD. Neurofilament light chain is a protein that is found in nerve fibers and is released when they are damaged or die. It is thought that the levels of this protein in blood may act as a biomarker, or biological marker, that may be able to give information about the onset or progression of FTD.

A research nurse will visit the participant’s home, office, or a place of choice approximately every three months for three years. During the visit, a research nurse will draw and prepare a blood sample to use for measurements of neurofilament light chain. This is an ancillary study to the ARTFL-LEFFTDS Longitudinal FTD (ALLFTD) study and one must be a participant in ALLFTD to participate. More information about the study is available at the ALLFTD website.

Location:
The Johns Hopkins Hospital
Division of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neuropsychiatry
600 N. Wolfe Street, Suite 235
Baltimore, Maryland 21287

ARTFL-LEFFTDS Longitudinal Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration (ALLFTD)

Principal Investigator: Chiadi Onyike, M.D., M.H.S.
Research program coordinator: Fiona Gail Sweeney [email protected] 
The primary goal of the observational study is to advance the understanding of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and support the development of FTD treatments. ALLFTD will evaluate sporadic and genetic patients and their healthy family relatives to understand the changes in symptoms and brain function associated with the condition.

The study plans to enroll 2,100 participants at 19 medical centers, 17 in the US and 2 in Canada. There are two arms to this study: Longitudinal Arm and Biofluid-Focused Arm. Study participants in the Longitudinal Arm receive a comprehensive evaluation annually that includes interview and examination, cognitive and behavioral assessments, MRI scan, blood collection, and an optional lumbar puncture (spinal tap). The Biofluid-Focused Arm involves a one-time clinic visit to collect biospecimens and clinical data. Participants must be 18 years or older and either have a referring FTD diagnosis or be a member of a family with a history of FTD. Participants must also have a study partner who can provide perspective on how they are doing. For more information, visit the ALLFTD website.

Location:
The Johns Hopkins Hospital
Division of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neuropsychiatry
600 N. Wolfe Street, Suite 235
Baltimore, Maryland 21287

A Phase 2 Clinical Trial of Intranasal Oxytocin for Frontotemporal Dementia (FOXY)

Principal Investigator: Chiadi Onyike, M.D., M.H.S.
Research program coordinator: Fiona Gail Sweeney [email protected]

The primary goal of this study is to determine whether giving Oxytocin to people who have FTD may be helpful in reducing social apathy, indifference, and lack of empathy. These traits are common in people who have FTD and can be burdensome for caregivers, such as family and friends. Patients who have been diagnosed with FTD, display symptoms of moderate social apathy/indifference, and have someone willing to act as a study partner may qualify for this study.

The study plans to enroll 110 participants at medical centers in Canada and the US. People who join this trial will be given Oxytocin or placebo for about 18 weeks. There will be five clinic visits and two telephone calls that will occur while taking study drug (or placebo). During four of the visits, participants are asked to eat a meal at the clinic while being filmed. More information about the study could be found by visiting the FOXY website.

Location:
The Johns Hopkins Hospital
Division of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neuropsychiatry
600 N. Wolfe Street, Suite 235
Baltimore, Maryland 21287

A Study to Evaluate Efficacy and Safety of AL001 in FTD (INFRONT-3)

Principal Investigator:  Chiadi Onyike, M.D., M.H.S.
Research program coordinator: Fiona Gail Sweeney [email protected]

The primary goal of this phase 3 clinical research study is to examine if increasing progranulin levels after treatment with AL001 will delay the onset of symptoms or slow disease progression when compared to a placebo. Participants need to have a confirmed progranulin gene mutation and either be diagnosed with FTD or at risk of developing FTD symptoms as evidenced by a biomarker.

The study plans to enroll 180 participants at 80 centers globally. The study drug (AL001 or placebo) will be administered every four weeks by an intravenous (IV) infusion. Assessments will include regular medical examinations, blood tests, brain imaging, and completion of questionnaires. AL001 has not been approved by the FDA or any other health authority approval around the world. More information about the study could be found by visiting the INFRONT-3 website.

Location:
The Johns Hopkins Hospital
Division of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neuropsychiatry
600 N. Wolfe Street, Suite 235
Baltimore, Maryland 21287

Measurement of the Clinical Progression and Severity of Frontotemporal Dementia

Principal Investigator: Chiadi Onyike, M.D., M.H.S.

Advancements in our understanding of the neurobiology of the FTDs have spurred interest in the development of measures that can track the progression of subtypes of FTD over the entire span of the disease.  This study examines how cognitive, behavioral, and functional deterioration unfolds in FTD, with an eye towards the identification of clinical staging markers and the development of an instrument that can be used in practice and research to track disease progression.  All individuals who have FTD and receive their care from the clinic are eligible for the study.

Contact: 410-955-5147 or [email protected]

Location:
The Johns Hopkins Hospital
Division of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neuropsychiatry
600 N. Wolfe Street, Suite 235
Baltimore, Maryland 21287

Young-Onset Dementias

Longitudinal Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease Study (LEADS)

Principal Investigator: Chiadi U. Onyike, M.D., M.H.S.
Research program coordinator: Fiona Gail Sweeney [email protected]

This study explores the development of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease and how it compares to the more common late-onset Alzheimer’s variant. The primary goal is to develop sensitive clinical and biomarker measures for future clinical and research use.

The study plans to enroll and follow 500 cognitively impaired participants and 100 cognitively normal participants ages 40-64 years at approximately 15 sites in the United States. Participants will perform study activities including medical and neurological exams, cognitive testing, biofluid sample collection, and neuroimaging (MRI & PET scan) at the beginning of their involvement. Those with memory problems will repeat the activities every year for four years, for a total of five visits; participants without memory problems will repeat the activities every year for two years, for a total of three visits. Individuals younger than 65 with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia of mild severity suspected to be caused by Alzheimer’s disease may qualify for this study. For more information, visit the LEADS website.

Location:
The Johns Hopkins Hospital
Division of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neuropsychiatry
600 N. Wolfe Street, Suite 235
Baltimore, Maryland 21287