Patricia Inácio, PhD,  science writer—

The juvenile form of Huntington’s disease, which affects patients younger than 20, is particularly aggressive and associated with an early onset of symptoms, a retrospective study has found. Based on the study’s findings, researchers have also suggested that a revision of the current classification of juvenile Huntington’s disease may…

Researchers have found a protein, called UBR5, that may reduce neurodegeneration in Huntington’s disease (HD). This protein prevents the toxic aggregation (clustering) of mutant huntingtin protein, which is the underlying mechanism that triggers nerve cells’ death in Huntington’s patients. The study, “The ubiquitin ligase UBR5 suppresses proteostasis collapse in pluripotent…

Retrotope’s investigative therapy RT001 reduced cognition deficits in  mice with Huntington’s disease, and was found to lower the amount of oxidative damage in their brains. The study, “Deuterium‐reinforced linoleic acid lowers lipid peroxidation and mitigates cognitive impairment in the Q140 knock in mouse model of Huntington’s disease,” was published in…

Impaired metabolism of a type of brain cell called an astrocyte plays an important role in the development and progression of Huntington’s disease, a study using a mouse model has found. Discovery of this previously unknown error could be key in developing future treatments for Huntington’s, which does…

Elevated levels of a specific protein in the saliva of Huntington’s disease patients may be used as a biomarker to measure motor function and clinical outcomes, according to researchers. Their study, “Salivary levels of total huntingtin are elevated in Huntington’s disease patients,” was published in the journal…

Genetic causes behind Huntington’s disease may overlap with those behind rheumatoid arthritis, an unexpected finding that could potentially open the door for new therapeutics targeting both diseases, a study suggests. The study, “Comprehensive epigenetic landscape of rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes,” was published in the journal Nature Communications. Rheumatoid…

Increasing evidence links a specific fat to Huntington’s disease, and it “merits more attention” as a “high priority” target for potential disease treatments, a review study reports. The study, “The S1P Axis: New Exciting Route for Treating Huntington’s Disease,” was published in the journal Trends in Pharmacological Sciences.

Monensin, an antibiotic widely used in feed for animals like cows that chew their cud, can help protect cells against oxidative stress linked to Huntington’s disease, according to a new mouse study. The biochemical pathway that allows a cellular structure known as the Golgi apparatus to fight this oxidative stress…

Targeting the Gpr52 receptor can reduce the levels of mutant huntingtin (HTT) proteins and improve Huntington’s disease symptoms, including walking problems, in animal models, a study suggests. The study, “Targeting Gpr52 lowers mutant HTT levels and rescues Huntington’s disease-associated phenotypes,” was published in the journal Brain. G…

Iron accumulation in the mitochondria of brain cells may drive Huntington’s disease progression, researchers report.  Removing excess iron with an FDA-approved treatment was seen to rescue mitochondrial function and improved motor endurance in a mouse model of the disease. Their study, “Brain mitochondrial iron accumulates in Huntington’s disease, mediates…