Marija Semnic

Prof. Dr. Marija Semnic


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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27 February 2025 in Parkinsonism & Related Disorders
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
SBSonja Baltic
Sonja Baltic
NTNikola Todorovic
Nikola Todorovic
SPSanela Popovic
Sanela Popovic
VGVladimir Galic
Vladimir Galic
MSMarija Semnic
Marija Semnic
Sergej M OstojicSergej M Ostojic
Sergej M Ostojic

7 October 2025 in Neurology International
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
VMVuk Milošević
Vuk Milošević
JBJelena Bašić
Jelena Bašić
MSMarija Semnic
Marija Semnic
EAEva Antić
Eva Antić
MMMarina Malobabić
Marina Malobabić
MSMilan Stoiljkovic
Milan Stoiljkovic
Background and objectives: Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a heterogeneous neurodegenerative disorder with autosomal dominant forms most often linked to MAPT, GRN, and C9orf72. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of pathogenic variants in these genes in a hospital-based cohort of FTD patients assessed at a tertiary referral center in southeastern Serbia. Methods: We studied 58 consecutive patients with FTD spectrum syndromes evaluated at a tertiary referral center. All underwent standardized neurological, neuropsychological, and imaging assessments, and family history was recorded. Genetic testing included validated assays for C9orf72 repeat expansions and next-generation sequencing of MAPT and GRN. Results: Women comprised 53.45% of the cohort. The mean age was 67.88 years, with mean onset at 61.70 years. Behavioral variant FTD predominated (75.87%), while language forms were less frequent. Positive family history was present in 16 patients (27.59%). Pathogenic variants were identified in three individuals (5.17%): two unrelated carriers of the intronic MAPT mutation c.1920+16C>T and one patient with a C9orf72 expansion. No GRN variants were detected. Mutation frequency was 18.75% in familial cases, while none were found among sporadic patients (p = 0.018). Four of nine relatives were asymptomatic MAPT mutation carriers. Conclusions: This first genetic study of FTD in southeastern Serbia revealed a lower mutation frequency than in Northern and Western Europe, but similar to cohorts from Southeastern Europe. The detection of MAPT c.1920+16C>T in two unrelated families extends the geographic range of this splice-site variant and underscores the importance of systematic genetic testing and larger collaborative studies in the Balkans.