Staff from AFTD and the FTD Disorders Registry attended the American Academy of Neurology’s Annual Meeting earlier this month in San Diego. This meeting typically attracts around 14,000 international attendees, including many clinical neurologists.

While in San Diego, AFTD and Registry staff worked to spread awareness about FTD and iconnect with others who can help achieve our missions. This includes people who may be newer in the field of FTD, as well as people specializing in related disorders.

Both AFTD and the Registry succeeded in these goals through multiple strategies for sharing resources and spreading awareness. They hosted booths with key information for diagnosing FTD, engaging in research funding, joining the Registry, and educating the FTD community. They also hosted a social gathering that was attended by clinicians, researchers, persons with lived experience, and members of peer nonprofit organizations. The gathering was generously funded by Prevail Therapeutics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly.

Furthermore, three abstracts were presented in posters based on Registry data, which serve to amplify the voice of people touched by FTD to support research.

Ultimately, AFTD and Registry staff were able to deepen existing relationships with other stakeholders in the FTD field while also forging powerful new connections that will help advance our shared mission. AFTD staff attendance included Director of Support and Education Esther Kane, MSN, RN-CDP, Director of Research Engagement Shana Dodge, PhD, Education Coordinator Ray Frattone, and Research Outreach Manager Kate Still, PhD. Registry staff included Communications Manager Mary Krause.