New Test Helps to Streamline Testing for Huntington Disease
To streamline genetic testing for Huntington Disease (HD), a new test may help by generating accurate results, avoiding unnecessary additional testing and improving turnaround time.
To streamline genetic testing for Huntington Disease (HD), a new test may help by generating accurate results, avoiding unnecessary additional testing and improving turnaround time.
‘To control a prominent symptom of Huntington disease, chorea, researchers evaluated the efficacy and safety of the drug deutetrabenazine.’
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The drug tetrabenazine is the only U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved therapy for treating chorea associated with Huntington disease. Despite established efficacy, tetrabenazine often requires 3-times-a-day dosing, and there may be some peak concentration-related neuropsychiatric symptoms, such as sedation, fatigue, anxiety or nausea. For this study, 90 adults diagnosed with Huntington disease and a certain level of chorea were randomly assigned to receive deutetrabenazine (n = 45) or placebo (n = 45). Deutetrabenazine or placebo was titrated to optimal dose level over 8 weeks and maintained for 4 weeks. The researchers found that deutetrabenazine treatment significantly improved chorea control as measured by a chorea score. Significant improvement was also observed on measures of impression of change and physical functioning, although no improvement was observed on a balance test. Adverse event rates were similar for deutetrabenazine and placebo, including depression, anxiety and akathisia (a movement disorder).
The authors note that the difference in total maximal chorea score associated with deutetrabenazine treatment that was observed in this study is notable given the progressive decline in total maximal chorea score and total motor score that has been previously described as part of the natural history of Huntington disease. "Further research is needed to assess the clinical importance of the effect size and to determine longer-term efficacy and safety."
Mutation in the Huntingtin Gene Leads to Huntington Disease
Huntington disease (HD) is caused by a mutation in the huntingtin gene (htt) and is an incurable neurodegenerative disease.
Huntington disease (HD) is caused by a mutation in the huntingtin gene (htt) and is an incurable neurodegenerative disease.
Following A Mediterranean Diet Not Associated With Delay To Clinical Onset Of Huntington Disease, Says Study
Following a Mediterranean-type diet (MedDi) does not appear to be associated with the time to clinical onset of Huntington disease (phenoconversion), reveals new study.
Following a Mediterranean-type diet (MedDi) does not appear to be associated with the time to clinical onset of Huntington disease (phenoconversion), reveals new study.
Huntington Disease Drug Trial Confirms Safety of Creatine Levels
High dosage treatment with creatine is safe and tolerable, a new clinical trial involving the use of a drug intended to help delay the onset of Huntington disease, revealed
High dosage treatment with creatine is safe and tolerable, a new clinical trial involving the use of a drug intended to help delay the onset of Huntington disease, revealed
