Jesús García-Castro, MD

2026 Next Generation Research Grant in FTD

Diagnosing PSP and CBD Earlier Through Blood Tests and Brain Imaging

Institution: Institut de Recerca de l’Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau

Project Summary: Scientists are working to improve how we detect and track two rare subtypes of FTD, progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and corticobasal degeneration (CBD). These conditions can be very difficult to diagnose early because their symptoms often resemble other brain conditions.

Dr. García-Castro’s project combines two promising tools: a simple blood test that measures tiny particles called extracellular vesicles, and advanced MRI brain scan techniques. Together, these tools may help identify PSP and CBD much earlier and with far greater accuracy than current clinical evaluations. Dr. García-Castro’s team has already shown that both methods work well on their own. By combining them, the team hopes to create a fast, precise, and widely accessible diagnostic process. This could dramatically reduce the number of patients who are misdiagnosed and help doctors understand how quickly the disease is progressing.

Ultimately, this project aims to support better patient care and improve the success of future clinical trials. Earlier and more accurate diagnosis means that patients can enter studies at the right time, with treatments tailored to their disease type and expected rate of progression. Because both the blood test and MRI analysis can be done using routine medical samples and open-source tools, this approach could be adopted by clinics around the world, accelerating discoveries and bringing hope to people affected by these challenging conditions.

This research is funded by the Holloway Family Fund of The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration and the American Brain Foundation.