Oana Marian
Plasma glycolipids as biomarkers of white matter degeneration and disease progression in frontotemporal dementia
Award
Dementia Research Community Project Grant and Dementia Advocates Award
Status
In progress
Start Date
1 March 2026
About the project
What is the focus of the research?
Developing a simple blood test that can help diagnose behavioural-variant frontotemporal dementia earlier and more accurately.
Why is this important?
Frontotemporal dementia is one of the most common types of dementia in people under 65. Symptoms vary widely, making it easy to misdiagnose. The brain’s white matter is made up of fat molecules that are essential for brain function. Loss of white matter is a hallmark of frontotemporal dementia. Trace amounts of these fat molecules can be found in blood tests and Dr Marian’s work has shown that they decrease along with white matter in people with behavioural-variant frontotemporal dementia.
Dr Marian aims to develop a blood test that specifically identifies white matter degeneration, so clinicians can diagnose behavioural-variant frontotemporal dementia earlier, reducing uncertainty for families and allowing loved ones to receive better care.
What could it mean for dementia research?
- Earlier diagnosis and access to support.
- An accessible, inexpensive diagnostic tool.
- The potential for more targeted frontotemporal dementia treatments.
Where are they now?
Dr Marian is a post-doctoral research associate in the Lipid Metabolism and Neurochemistry Laboratory at The University of Sydney. Her research focuses on investigating lipids as novel, accessible biomarkers of demyelinating diseases and dementia.
