Discovering Possibilities to Treat Huntington’s Disease

Medical science has been successful in various aspects in terms of treating diseases that had no cure earlier. Similar dilemma was being experienced with the process of finding a possible treatment for neurodegenerative diseases. Even after achieving advancement in the various genetic diseases, researchers have repeatedly failed to taste success in case of Huntington’s disease. This genetic neurological disease, having no definite cure, is an inherited disorder that kills brain cells. Progressing towards death, this rare disease is diagnosed in the 30s-40s of age. The disease deteriorates patients’ physical and mental abilities. Weight-loss is one prominent complication that worsens the symptoms and weakens the patients.

Researchers have been seeking the probable treatments or therapies which could help control the progressing symptoms, if not entirely cure this fatal disorder. Current medications are observed only to help control one of its symptoms of involuntary movements, however, provide no great help in suppressing the disease.

Study conducted to achieve the control on Huntington’s disease

Duke University’s neurologist, Dr. La Spada’s team focused on advancing in Huntington’s treatment for which they tested a drug developed for the treatment of diabetes. However, it was repurposed due to its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. Similarly, they tested a cancer drug that enabled a mice having Huntington’s disease- like ailment, to move more easily and recover from brain deterioration. Several other tests and researches are being done in this context to combine the drugs for a better result.

A new theory that may potentially address Huntington’s disease

Canadian researchers are working on improving the situation of treatments and therapies. The research is based on the idea that talks about is rare type of signals received from damaged DNA indicating huntingtin activity in DNA repair. This signaling is flawed in Huntington’s disease which could result in shifting the course of the Huntington’s disease.

Cognitive advancement in Huntington’s disease patients due to D-PUFA

Using D-PUFA drug, there was a visible disease-modifying effect like cognition and movements on this rare neurodegenerative disease. D-PUFA was seen eliminating the usual obstacle in neurodegenerative diseases of not being able to access tissues.

Innovative research initiatives like these have the capabilities to break through the unsolved mysteries of this fatal ailment. The more the neurodegenerative diseases are studied, that closer, researchers would get to alter the course of Huntington’s disease

Published by Priyanka Bhattacharjee

Priyanka Bhattacharjee is a seasoned research professional, with an insatiable quest for handling complex assignments, based on both pure-play consulting and market-research in the pharmaceuticals and healthcare domain. With over five years of experience, she is well-acknowledged in her field of handling critical research assignments and writing thematic papers. She regularly writes opinion pieces for various online news portals and magazines on a wide range of topics. Having the unique capacity of joining the dots, Priyanka’s exceptional communication skills makes her a pro at handling strategic clients, encompassing multiple domains of industry and business. While not at work, she is an ardent reader of books, pursues music and social activities such as teaching the underprivileged and visiting the old at elderly care centers.

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