Herewith, I would like to let you know that I have stepped in as President of the International Society of Frontotemporal Dementias at the executive meeting on June 18, 2021. Our previous President, Facundo Manes, has regretfully to resign due to obligations in serving his country, Argentina.
President of ISFTD
John C. van Swieten
Dear ISFTD member,
I would like to thank Facundo for his excellent job leading the 1ST Virtual Conference of the ISFTD in March 2021. Thanks to his efforts, we have now more than 750 ISFTD members. In June, the Executive Committee deliberated several options to fill in the President vacancy. I, as Chair-elect, agreed to take the role of President earlier and to serve this role till the end of 2024. The Executive Committee has voted and agreed on this plan. Rosa Rademakers, as past-President, will listed as interim President-Elect till the end of 2022.
Herewith, I would like to let you know that I have stepped in as President of the International Society of Frontotemporal Dementias at the executive meeting on June 18, 2021. Our previous President, Facundo Manes, has regretfully to resign due to obligations in serving his country, Argentina. I would like to thank Facundo for his excellent job leading the 1ST Virtual Conference of the ISFTD in March 2021. Thanks to his efforts, we have now more than 750 ISFTD members. In June, the Executive Committee deliberated several options to fill in the President vacancy. I, as Chair-elect, agreed to take the role of President earlier and to serve this role till the end of 2024. The Executive Committee has voted and agreed on this plan. Rosa Rademakers, as past-President, will listed as interim President-Elect till the end of 2022.
The ISFTD has been responsible for the selection of ICFTD meetings since 2011. It has collaborated with local organizers to ensure exciting scientific programs over the previous ICFTD meetings. Currently, we are working with the Lille/Paris organizers to present an exciting scientific program for ICFTD 2022, The FTD research field has made tremendous scientific advancements in diverse expertise areas over the last 30 years:
- Identification of causal genetic defects
- Recognition of different clinical subtypes and neurocognitive profiles
- Overlap with other neurodegenerative diseases
- Detection of fluid and neuroimaging biomarkers
- Development of cell and animal models with the first steps towards therapeutic interventions
Nowadays, the FTD research field comes into a crucial time with new generations of young enthusiastic and motivated researchers. My personal ambition is to involve more junior members in our organization, as they will certainly bring into new ideas and initiatives. Furthermore, I would like to improve communications between the different fields of expertise within FTD. A few new initiatives are currently underway.
We will present a new ISFTD website facilitating presentations webinars, and easy renewal of your membership before the end of the year. We aim to strengthen collaborations with AFTD and ISTAART PIA on FTD. Finally, I would like to conclude by emphasizing that your feedback and ideas on ISFTD activities will be very much appreciated.
Best wishes,
John C. van Swieten President, ISFTD