AFTD Welcomes the International Society for Frontotemporal Dementias to Philadelphia

Conference highlights scientific progress and collaboration by bringing together leading FTD researchers and clinicians from around the world

King of Prussia, PA, Oct. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD) is pleased to welcome the International Society for Frontotemporal Dementias (ISFTD) conference to Philadelphia, Penn., and support its work to develop a network of international researchers and professionals working to advance knowledge into effective diagnostics, biomarkers, and therapies for FTD.  

ISFTD is an international nonprofit scientific society focused on FTDs. The organization was founded in 2011 and has members representing 26 countries. The 15th ISFTD Conference will take place October 8-11, 2026, in Philadelphia, Pa., bringing together leading FTD researchers, clinicians, and members of the FTD community from around the world to share discoveries, foster collaboration, and accelerate scientific progress.  

Acknowledging the importance of lived experience, AFTD is a sponsor of Caregivers Day on October 9 during the conference. It will feature presentations by leading experts on advances in research and approaches to care. Caregivers will also be invited to explore scientific posters highlighting the breadth of research underway to better understand FTD.

“We are grateful to AFTD for supporting our organization’s growth,” said Olivier Piguet, President of ISFTD. “Our international conference is crucial to forming connections that will help accelerate and expand FTD research to generate breakthrough innovations and scientific knowledge.”  

FTD is a group of neurodegenerative disorders that cause uncharacteristic changes in behavior, communication, and movement. Despite growing scientific understanding, significant challenges remain in diagnosing FTD, developing effective treatments, and ensuring that people affected by FTD receive appropriate care and support.

“We know that solving FTD will require the brightest minds in the field working together with those who know FTD firsthand through lived experience,” said Rachel Biblow, CEO of AFTD. “Supporting this international gathering is an investment in collaboration and in the scientific community’s ability to accelerate breakthroughs more quickly. Every connection made and every idea shared has the potential to bring us closer to better diagnostics, effective treatments, and ultimately a future free of FTD.”

Strengthening the Global FTD Research Community
AFTD's support extends beyond the conference itself. The organization has worked with ISFTD to help professionalize and strengthen the Society and has supported the development and implementation of its first formal strategic framework. That framework is now translating into concrete activities and opportunities for the international FTD research community.

The ISFTD Conference is a key example of that progress, providing a forum for researchers and clinicians to present emerging findings, exchange ideas, build collaborations, and advance research across disciplines and borders.

The relationship between AFTD and ISFTD will also be highlighted at the Philadelphia meeting through the inaugural Holly Hayes Lecture on FTD, delivered by former AFTD CEO Susan L-J Dickinson. The lecture will highlight global leadership in research, care, and advocacy, while ensuring awareness in understanding and treating the disease. It is supported by the Holly Hayes FTD Endowment Fund, established in 2024 through the generosity of family and friends of Holly Hayes, an incredibly lively and multi-talented woman whose life was cut short by FTD.  

AFTD has long supported efforts to strengthen and accelerate the FTD research ecosystem. Its investments include funding for promising early-career investigators, collaborative scientific initiatives, engagement of people affected by FTD in research, and scientific meetings designed to advance understanding of the disease.

Advancing Global Awareness and Scientific Progress
The ISFTD Conference will take place shortly after World FTD Awareness Week, September 28-October 4, 2026, providing an opportunity to build on the global conversation about FTD and highlight the progress being made toward better diagnosis, care, and treatments.

For people and families affected by FTD, scientific progress cannot come soon enough. FTD often affects people during the prime of life and can have profound consequences for individuals, families, and communities.

AFTD believes that every piece of the puzzle solved can help researchers solve the next piece faster. By investing in the organizations, relationships, and opportunities that bring the FTD research community together, AFTD is helping create the conditions for faster discovery and, ultimately, a future free of FTD.

About AFTD
The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD) is the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of people affected by FTD and driving research toward a cure. AFTD advances research, raises awareness, educates healthcare professionals, provides support for individuals and families, and advocates for public policies that promote earlier diagnosis, better care, and increased research funding. Learn more at theAFTD.org.

About ISFTD
The International Society for Frontotemporal Dementias (ISFTD) is a global, multidisciplinary society dedicated to advancing understanding and treatment of FTD and related neurodegenerative disorders. ISFTD brings together scientists, clinicians, and other professionals from diverse disciplines to foster collaboration, advance breakthrough research, support emerging scientists, and promote excellence in education and professional development. Through its international network and initiatives, ISFTD works to accelerate scientific progress and improve diagnosis and care for people affected by FTD worldwide. 

PJ Lepp
Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration
267-514-7221
newsroom@theaftd.org