Obsessive-compulsive and perseverative behaviors occur frequently among people with Huntington’s disease, particularly as the disorder progresses, a review analysis shows. Researchers say differentiating between these two behaviors — which many family members find highly problematic to handle — may be beneficial for managing and treating symptoms, and supporting caregivers.
“In sickness and in health, until death do us part.” These words, which were part of our marriage vows, are a somber reminder of our mortality. But who wants to think about sickness and death on the happiest day of your life? In this column, I want to focus on…
People with rare diseases know that the right government policies can make a big difference in the quality of their own lives, and those of their caregivers. But most lawmakers aren’t experts in even one well-known disease — let alone the world’s estimated 7,000 rare disorders. So how does the…
Most people at risk for Huntington’s decide not to undergo genetic testing for the disease due to the lack of effective treatment — and because they can’t unlearn the knowledge that they may have the neurodegenerative disorder, a study shows. Researchers say choosing not to know if one is…
Remember when people wrote letters? You know, when they sat down with an actual pen and let the ink roll out onto paper. Everyone had their own writing technique and style, their own spin on cursive. It’s a bit of a lost art in today’s technologically advancing world, isn’t it?…
Mutations in the huntingtin gene may alter the interactions between the huntingtin protein and a protein called Rac1 in the early stages of Huntington’s disease, which may affect the way nerve cells communicate, a study has found. The study, “Rac1 Activity Is Modulated by…
Learning how to balance life as a caregiver and husband can be delicate. I recently mentioned that my wife, Jill, and I attended a symposium for Huntington’s disease earlier this year. I learned some valuable information that day, including that Jill may one day experience changes in the way…
Nobody is guaranteed a long life. Some people’s experience on this planet is going to be shorter than others’, even if they do everything they can to live a healthy lifestyle along the way. Having grown up with the dark cloud of Huntington’s disease (HD) over the family, I…
Mutant huntingtin, the protein involved in Huntington’s disease, travels from one neuron to another using a network of tunnels built by a protein called Rhes, a study finds. The study, “Rhes travels from cell to cell and transports Huntington disease protein via TNT-like protrusion,” was published in the…
RG6042, formerly called IONIS-HTTRx, a potential therapy for Huntington’s disease, was able to reduce the levels of mutant huntingtin (mHTT) protein in early-stage patients, according to results from a Phase 1/2 clinical trial. Trial results were published in the study, “Targeting Huntingtin Expression in Patients with…
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