Uncovering the dark side of DNA repair to design HD treatments

Uncovering the dark side of DNA repair to design HD treatments

A gene called MSH3 helps to repair our DNA, but in HD it can slip up and cause CAG repeats to lengthen. Researchers have uncovered new information about how MSH3 activity is controlled, opening the door to new therapeutic avenues.

Emma BuntingDecember 22, 2020

Huntington Study Group (HSG) 2020 Annual Conference: HD in Focus - Day 2

Huntington Study Group (HSG) 2020 Annual Conference: HD in Focus - Day 2

The 2020 virtual HSG conference HD in Focus continues on Day 2 with a focus on clinical trials and drugs in development.

Dr Leora Fox and Dr Rachel HardingNovember 01, 2020

Huntington Study Group (HSG) 2020 Annual Conference: HD in Focus - Day 1

Huntington Study Group (HSG) 2020 Annual Conference: HD in Focus - Day 1

Read our breakdown of some of the talks and presentations at day 1 of the Huntington Study Group (HSG) 2020 annual conference: HD in focus

Dr Rachel HardingOctober 30, 2020

Treatment for neurological disorder could be repurposed for Huntington’s disease patients

Treatment for neurological disorder could be repurposed for Huntington’s disease patients

While developing a drug called branaplam for patients with SMA, the pharmaceutical company Novartis discovered that it could hold promise for people with HD. The FDA has granted a special status called Orphan Drug Designation.

Dr Rachel HardingOctober 22, 2020

Sad news from the SIGNAL study: pepinemab does not influence HD symptoms

Sad news from the SIGNAL study: pepinemab does not influence HD symptoms

The SIGNAL study did not meet its key clinical goals for #HuntingtonsDisease to slow or improve HD symptoms, but the results are still informative for the HD community and other fields.

Dr Jeff CarrollSeptember 23, 2020

When genes are unstable: targeting somatic instability in HD

When genes are unstable: targeting somatic instability in HD

CAG repeats expand in some parts of the body and brain as people with HD get older, a phenomenon known as somatic instability. Learn more about how researchers are exploring somatic instability and DNA repair to design therapies for HD.

Dr Rachel Harding and Dr Leora FoxSeptember 08, 2020

Working as a team: Changes in brain development mean some brain regions may be slacking off

Working as a team: Changes in brain development mean some brain regions may be slacking off

Scientists use human fetal tissue to look at HD brain development. But what do developmental changes mean when symptoms don’t occur until decades after birth?

Dr Sarah HernandezAugust 17, 2020

Caution urged for the use of gene-editing technology CRISPR

Caution urged for the use of gene-editing technology CRISPR

A recent series of studies on the gene-editing method CRISPR have raised concerns about the suitability of this technology for the treatment of genetic illnesses such as Huntington's disease

Dr Rachel HardingAugust 12, 2020

HD and Histamines: Targeting Hybrid Receptors to Quiet Stressful Brain Talk

HD and Histamines: Targeting Hybrid Receptors to Quiet Stressful Brain Talk

Scientists recently used an antihistamine to quiet dopamine messages in the brain and treat HD-like symptoms in mice. But beware the hype suggesting that allergy medicines could be used to slow down HD.

Dr Leora FoxJuly 15, 2020

Changing jobs: converting other cell types into neurons

Changing jobs: converting other cell types into neurons

Because HD causes a loss of neurons in the brain, some researchers are exploring ways to replace them. Working with HD mice, scientists recently showed that supportive brain cells called glia can be coaxed into becoming new neurons.

Dr Sarah HernandezJune 23, 2020

HD Young Adult Study defines the sweet spot: symptom-free with measurable changes

HD Young Adult Study defines the sweet spot: symptom-free with measurable changes

We know that HD-related changes can occur many years before symptom onset, but how early do those changes begin? A team of researchers set out to determine that with a new comprehensive study in pre-manifest HD young adults.

Dr Sarah HernandezMay 27, 2020