Frontotemporal dementia, a neurodegenerative disease that has recently impacted actor Bruce Willis, poses a considerable challenge for approximately 50,000 individuals in Italy. This debilitating condition progresses by eroding cognitive abilities, language skills, and behavioral control, presenting formidable obstacles in daily life for patients and their families. However, promising new research conducted at the Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS in Rome reveals that a treatment based on a compound influencing the endocannabinoid system may slow the disease's progression.
Frontotemporal dementia currently affects around 50,000 people in Italy and over 350,000 globally, marking it as the leading cause of dementia among individuals under 65. As of now, there are no definitive cures; only therapies are available for symptom management. Typically affecting people aged between 45 and 65, early indications do not typically impact memory but instead manifest through significant behavioral changes and challenges in communication. Patients may exhibit apathy, aggression, or difficulty managing emotions, making it difficult for families and caregivers to cope with the unpredictable nature of the disease.
Until now, as highlighted by Bruce Willis' family, no therapies have been able to modify the course of the disease, with only symptomatic treatments available, which can vary widely among patients. Recent studies have suggested that neuroinflammation might be a crucial factor in the development of frontotemporal dementia, paving the way for potential new targeted drugs.
Numerous studies in recent years have underscored the central role of neuroinflammation in the progression of frontotemporal dementia. This chronic inflammatory process in the brain contributes to the degeneration of nerve cells, exacerbating cognitive and behavioral symptoms. Thus, reducing inflammation could represent a foundational strategy to slow the disease's advance and improve patients' quality of life. This hypothesis underlies the new research from Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS.
The analysis revealed that neuroinflammation is not merely a symptom but a key element contributing to the disease's worsening, suggesting that addressing this aspect could lead to more effective and targeted treatments.
Led by Professor Giacomo Koch, the vice-director of scientific research at the Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS and a professor of Physiology at the University of Ferrara, the study published in the journal Brain Communications involved 50 patients and examined the effects of the molecule co-ultraPEAlut, administered over six months. The results were encouraging: patients who received the treatment demonstrated a slower progression of the disease, managing to maintain better autonomy in daily activities and enhancing their language skills compared to those who received a placebo.
The co-ultraPEAlut molecule is a combination of Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) and the antioxidant flavonoid luteolin (Lut), which undergoes a process of ultramicronization. This combination works on the endocannabinoid system, exerting anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects that may counter the disease's advancement. A previous pilot study in 2020 revealed benefits for cognitive function in patients treated with co-ultraPEAlut for one month. The current clinical study confirms that a 24-week treatment can slow cognitive and functional deterioration, as well as improve autonomy in daily tasks.
Silvana Morson, president of the Italian Frontotemporal Dementia Association (AIMFT), emphasized the significance of these results, stating, “For families living with this disease, every hope is valuable.” The awareness that research is making progress brings comfort and motivates the community to continue advocating for increased attention and resources for patients.
With both the ongoing advocacy from affected families and innovative research emerging, there is hope for better management and treatment of frontotemporal dementia.
