A Genetic Lottery - a Column by Becky Field

Cholesterol supply to neurons by nanoparticles can improve neuronal and synaptic dysfunction in Huntington’s disease (HD), providing the missing link between the reduction in brain cholesterol observed in HD mice brains and some of the neuronal abnormalities associated with the disease. These are the results of a study entitled “Cholesterol‐loaded…

A recent study explored the association between gastric mucosa (mucus lining) abnormalities in Huntington’s Disease (HD) and mechanisms in the increased weight loss experienced by HD patients.  The study, entitled, “Characterization of Gastric Mucosa Biopsies Reveals Alterations in Huntington’s Disease,” was published in the journal…

A group of researchers from the University of Florida Health have discovered new information about Huntington’s disease, namely that the gene causing this severe disorder causes an unforeseen accumulation of “cocktails” of mutant proteins (RAN proteins) in the brain. These newly identified mutant proteins damage neurons and build up in areas…

Researchers at the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) in Bonn have tested a new substance that may lead to a prototype for the development of drugs to treat Alzheimer’s disease and other tauopathies, including Huntington’s disease. The substance, anle138b, improved symptoms in mice and showed an improvement in their cognition,…

In 2013, the U.S. Food and Drug administration (FDA) selected Huntington’s disease (HD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) as the focus of a three-year public consultation project for Patient-Focused Drug Development. This initiative involves working toward a better understanding of patient perspectives on the severity of these diseases and evaluation of…

Huntington’s disease is among a select group of disorders for which eligible patients can be prescribed medical marijuana in New York State. A bill signed this week by N.Y. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, passed by both houses of the legislature in June with overwhelming bipartisan support, expands a 2014 state law establishing medical marijuana access by…

The Hereditary Disease Foundation (HDF) recently hosted a celebratory night, gathering close to 200 recognized names and raising $1.2 million to support its efforts. The “Celebration of Discovery” Symposium and Dinner took place Monday, Nov. 9, at the Metropolitan Club in New York. The foundation, focused on finding cures to life-shattering…

A new study entitled “Mutant Huntingtin Does Not Affect the Intrinsic Phenotype of Human Huntington’s Disease T Lymphocytes,” published in PLOS ONE, has revealed important insights into future Huntington’s disease therapies aimed at modulating the peripheral immune system, mainly by targeting hyper-reactive monocytes and macrophages.

Recent research has shed light on how some proteins are converted into liquid droplets before becoming toxic fibrous solids that are involved in neurodegenerative diseases and other genetic disorders. The study entitled “RNA Controls PolyQ Protein Phase Transitions” was published in Molecular Cell by researchers from Dartmouth…

Psychiatric manifestations develop more often than previously thought in Huntington’s disease prodrome, according to findings of a recent study published in The American Journal of Psychiatry. Moreover, it appears that symptoms also increase with disease severity. Early features of Huntington’s disease can include personality changes, mood swings,…