Huntington’s disease is a heartbreaking condition that causes brain neurons to deteriorate. People with Huntington’s lose motor control, have involuntary motions (chorea), and decline mentally. At this time, there is no treatment for the disease, and only one drug has been approved to treat chorea.
There is reason to hope, however, because scientists are experimenting with viruses that can “silence” the gene sequencing that produces the mutant protein, huntingtin.
Patients with Huntington’s typically grow progressively worse, so there is an urgency about this research. In an article published by HDBuzz and featured on the Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA), it’s reported that scientists are developing a method of gene silencing by injecting a harmless virus directly into the patient’s bloodstream. Fingers crossed the research proves fruitful!
HDSA, in an effort to support patients and their families, has expanded the Huntington’s Disease Centers of Excellence from 29 to 39 locations. To find one near you, click here.
