Median survival in genetic frontotemporal dementia (FTD) averages approximately 7 years from symptom onset, with variation by genetic subtype (GRN, C9orf72, MAPT).
Survival heterogeneity is primarily driven by age at onset, clinical presentation—with motor symptoms portending poorer prognosis—and geographic factors rather than direct genetic group effects.
Development of an individual-level genetic FTD survival risk index offers potential for more accurate prognostication and patient stratification in clinical trials.
Motor impairment alongside cognitive and behavioural symptoms should be integrated into prognostic models to better capture disease trajectory in genetic FTD.
