More recently, genetic mutations of TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1), which is a serine or threonine kinase that plays an essential role in regulating inflammatory responses and phosphorylation of OPTN, have been identified in FTD and ALS patients, supporting the possibility that links them in inflammation, neurodegeneration, and autophagy (Monahan et al., 2016). The gene discussed is TBK1; the disease is frontotemporal dementia.