TDP-43 shapeshifts to encipher FTD severity

Abstract

TDP-43 forms cytoplasmic aggregates in degenerating neurons of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) patients. Laferrière et al. now establish that TDP-43 assemblies from distinct FTD subtypes have different structures, neurotoxicities, and seeding activities, which correlate with FTD severity. Thus, distinct pathological TDP-43 assemblies akin to prion strains might underpin distinct FTD subtypes.