The International Society for Frontotemporal Dementias (ISFTD) is delighted to congratulate former ISFTD President Professor Rosa Rademakers on being appointed Commander in the Order of Leopold, one of Belgium’s highest national honors, by His Majesty King Philippe in recognition of her outstanding contributions to neurodegenerative disease research.

Professor Rademakers, Director of the VIB-UAntwerp Center for Molecular Neurology, has dedicated her career to advancing the understanding of the genetic causes of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and related neurodegenerative disorders. Her pioneering research has transformed the field and has contributed to major discoveries that continue to shape the development of new diagnostic approaches and potential therapies.

Sharing the news on Linkedin, Professor Rademakers reflected on the significance of the recognition:

“I am especially grateful that this attention has helped bring frontotemporal dementia research to a wider audience. There is still so much work to do, but greater awareness is an important step forward.”

She also expressed her hope that the honor will encourage more people to learn about FTD, support research, and join the effort to improve the future for patients and families.

Throughout her career, Professor Rademakers has been an inspiring leader within the global FTD community. As a former President of ISFTD, she has played a pivotal role in fostering international collaboration and advancing research that benefits patients and families worldwide.

On behalf of the ISFTD Board of Directors and our global community, we extend our warmest congratulations to Professor Rademakers on this well-deserved recognition and thank her for her extraordinary contributions to frontotemporal dementia research and the ISFTD community.