Apply Today

If you are looking for a rewarding career
in online therapy apply today!

APPLY NOW

Sign Up For a Demo Today

Does your school need
Online Therapy Services

SIGN UP

Unlocking the Power of Plasma Progranulin Levels

Unlocking the Power of Plasma Progranulin Levels

Understanding the Role of Plasma Progranulin Levels in Frontotemporal Dementia

As a practitioner in the field of speech-language pathology, staying informed about the latest research is crucial for enhancing your practice and improving patient outcomes. A recent study titled "Plasma progranulin levels predict progranulin mutation status in frontotemporal dementia patients and asymptomatic family members" offers valuable insights that can be applied in clinical settings.

The Study at a Glance

The research conducted by Finch et al. (2009) explores the relationship between plasma progranulin levels and genetic mutations in the progranulin gene (GRN), which are known to be a significant cause of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). The study involved 219 patients diagnosed with FTLD, 70 control individuals, and 72 patients with early-onset probable Alzheimer's disease. The researchers utilized an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to measure progranulin levels in plasma samples.

Key Findings

Implications for Practitioners

For practitioners, these findings underscore the importance of incorporating genetic testing and biomarker analysis into the diagnostic process for dementia-related conditions. By utilizing plasma progranulin levels as a screening tool, practitioners can:

Encouraging Further Research

While the study provides compelling evidence for the use of plasma progranulin levels in clinical practice, further research is necessary to refine and validate these findings across diverse populations. Practitioners are encouraged to stay abreast of ongoing research and consider participating in studies that aim to expand our understanding of progranulin's role in neurodegenerative diseases.

To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Plasma progranulin levels predict progranulin mutation status in frontotemporal dementia patients and asymptomatic family members.


Citation: Finch, N., Baker, M., Crook, R., Swanson, K., Kuntz, K., Surtees, R., Bisceglio, G., Rovelet-Lecrux, A., Boeve, B., Petersen, R. C., Dickson, D. W., Younkin, S. G., Deramecourt, V., Crook, J., Graff-Radford, N. R., & Rademakers, R. (2009). Plasma progranulin levels predict progranulin mutation status in frontotemporal dementia patients and asymptomatic family members. Brain, 132(3), 583-591. https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awn352
Marnee Brick, President, TinyEYE Therapy Services

Author's Note: Marnee Brick, TinyEYE President, and her team collaborate to create our blogs. They share their insights and expertise in the field of Speech-Language Pathology, Online Therapy Services and Academic Research.

Connect with Marnee on LinkedIn to stay updated on the latest in Speech-Language Pathology and Online Therapy Services.

Apply Today

If you are looking for a rewarding career
in online therapy apply today!

APPLY NOW

Sign Up For a Demo Today

Does your school need
Online Therapy Services

SIGN UP

Apply Today

If you are looking for a rewarding career
in online therapy apply today!

APPLY NOW

Sign Up For a Demo Today

Does your school need
Online Therapy Services

SIGN UP