Background and ObjectivesPathogenic variants in the GRN gene cause frontotemporal dementia (FTD-GRN) with marked brain asymmetry. This study aims to assess whether the disease progression of FTD-GRN depends on the initial side of the atrophy. We also investigated the potential use of brain asymmetry as a biomarker of the disease.
MethodsRetrospective examination of data from the prospective Genetic Frontotemporal Initiative (GENFI) cohort study that recruits individuals who carry or were at risk of carrying a pathogenic variant causing FTD. GENFI participants underwent a standardized clinical and neuropsychological assessment, MRI, and a blood sample test yearly. We generated an asymmetry index for brain MRI to characterize brain asymmetry in participants with or at risk of FTD-GRN. Depending on the side of the asymmetry, we classified symptomatic GRN patients as