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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,…

University of Buffalo researchers have discovered that Huntingtin protein (Htt) is involved in the transport of Rab proteins, which are essential for normal cell function, a discovery that might lead to a greater understanding of the mechanisms behind Huntington’s disease. The research paper entitled “Huntingtin differentially regulates the axonal transport of a sub-set…

While moving is normal to healthy people, making even the smallest movements may seem a difficult task for those who suffer from movement disorders such as Huntington’s disease. The Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital is spreading awareness about these types of conditions and their proper treatment, the importance of seeking professional help…