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Abbiategrasso Brain Bank Protocol for Collecting, Processing and Characterizing Aging Brains
Published on: June 3, 2020
Insights
This lecture explores familial non-Alzheimer dementias, including vascular dementia like CADASIL and degenerative types such as frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Genetic mutations are key in understanding these inherited neurological disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Genetics
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Familial dementias encompass both vascular and degenerative types, presenting complex diagnostic challenges.
- Understanding the genetic underpinnings is crucial for diagnosing and potentially treating these conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of familial non-Alzheimer dementias.
- To highlight key genetic mutations and pathological hallmarks associated with various subtypes.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature and case studies on familial dementia.
- Classification of dementias based on etiology (vascular vs. degenerative) and genetic factors.
Main Results:
- Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is linked to Notch 3 mutations.
- Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and Familial British/Danish dementia involve tau and Bri gene mutations, respectively.
- Familial amyloid angiopathy and Familial encephalopathy with neuroserpin inclusion bodies (FENIB) are associated with specific gene mutations.
Conclusions:
- Familial dementias are heterogeneous, with distinct genetic causes and pathological features.
- Identifying specific gene mutations is essential for accurate diagnosis and future therapeutic strategies.
Abstract:
This is an abstract of my lecture on familial non-Alzheimer dementia. 1. Vascular dementia 1) Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is characterized by autosomal dominant inheritance, smooth muscle cell degeneration and granular osmiophilic material (GOM) in arterioles, and Notch 3 mutations. 2) CARASIL This is an autosomal recessive vascular dementia with unknown etiology. 3) Familial amyloid angiopathy Familial cerebral hemorrhage and dementia is caused by mutations in amyloid precursor protein, cystatin c, and Bri genes. 2. Familial non-Alzheimer degenerative dementia 1) Dementia with Lewy bodies This is characterized by Alzheimer like dementia, visual hallucination and diffuse Lewy bodies which are formed by ubiquitinated alpha-synuclein. Occasionally, familial forms are reported, but gene mutations are unknown. 2) Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) FTDP-17 is characterized by tau mutations, character and personal changes, and disinhibition. The gene mutations were also found in familial forms of Pick's disease, corticobasal degeneration, and other tauopathies. 3) Familial British dementia (FBD), familial Danish dementia (FDD) FBD and FDD are characterized by Abri amyloid deposits, amyloid angiopathy and dementia. Mutations in Bri gene are reported. 4) Familial encephalopathy with neuroserpin inclusion bodies (FENIB) FENIB is characterized by dementia, Collins body and neuroserpin gene mutation.
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