 |
|
Test reveals effectiveness of potential Huntington's disease drugs
October 31, 2006A test using cultured cells provides an effective way to screen drugs against Huntington's disease and shows that two compounds-memantine and riluzole - are most effective at keeping cells alive under conditions that mimic the disorder, UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers report.
"These drugs have been tested in a variety of Huntington's disease models and some HD human trials and results are very difficult to interpret," said Dr. Ilya Bezprozvanny, associate professor of physiology and senior author of the study, available online and published in today's issue of Neuroscience Letters. "For some of these drugs conflicting results were obtained by different research groups, but it is impossible to figure out where the differences came from because studies were not conducted in parallel.
"We systematically and quantititatively tested the clinically relevant drugs side-by-side in the same HD model. That has never been done before," said Dr. Bezprozvanny.
Huntington's disease is a fatal genetic disorder, manifesting in adulthood, in which certain brain cells die. The disease results in uncontrolled movements, emotional disturbance and loss of mental ability. The offspring of a person with Huntington's have a 50 percent chance of inheriting it.
More than 250,000 people in the United States have the disorder or are at risk for it. There is no cure, but several drugs are used or are being tested to relieve symptoms or slow Huntington's progression.
The disease affects a part of the brain called the striatum, which is involved in the control of movement and of "executive function," or planning and abstract thinking. It primarily attacks nerve cells called striatal medium spiny neurons, the main component of the striatum.
Dr. Bezprozvanny's group previously demonstrated that Huntington's striatal neurons are oversensitive to glutamate, a compound that nerve cells use to communicate with each other.
In the latest UT Southwestern study, the researchers cultured striatal spiny neurons from the brains of mice genetically engineered to express the mutant human Huntington gene. As predicted, glutamate killed the Huntington's neurons, but the scientists also tested five clinically relevant glutamate inhibitors to assess their protective ability.
Folic acid has been suggested as a treatment for people with Huntington's because it interacts with homocysteine, a compound that makes nerve cells more vulnerable to glutamate. Gabapentin and lamotrigine, both glutamate inhibitors, are used in epilepsy treatment and as a mood stabilizer, respectively. These three compounds did not significantly protect the cultured cells.
However, a drug called memantine, which is used to treat Alzheimer's disease, and riluzole, used in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, did protect the cells. Memantine demonstrated a stronger effect in the study. Memantine has also shown evidence of retarding the progression of Huntington's in people, while riluzole has helped relieve some symptoms.
"Our results provide the first systematic comparison of various clinically relevant glutamate pathway inhibitors for HD treatment and indicate that memantine holds the most promise based on its in vitro efficacy," Dr. Bezprozvanny said. "Whole animal studies of memantine in an HD mouse model will be required to validate these findings.\\\
UT Southwestern Medical Center
Huntington's disease is a fatal genetic disorder, manifesting in adulthood, in which certain brain cells die. The disease results in uncontrolled movements, emotional disturbance and loss of mental ability. The offspring of a person with Huntington's have a 50 percent chance of inheriting it.
More than 250,000 people in the United States have the disorder or are at risk for it. There is no cure, but several drugs are used or are being tested to relieve symptoms or slow Huntington's progression.
The disease affects a part of the brain called the striatum, which is involved in the control of movement and of "executive function," or planning and abstract thinking. It primarily attacks nerve cells called striatal medium spiny neurons, the main component of the striatum.
Dr. Bezprozvanny's group previously demonstrated that Huntington's striatal neurons are oversensitive to glutamate, a compound that nerve cells use to communicate with each other.
In the latest UT Southwestern study, the researchers cultured striatal spiny neurons from the brains of mice genetically engineered to express the mutant human Huntington gene. As predicted, glutamate killed the Huntington's neurons, but the scientists also tested five clinically relevant glutamate inhibitors to assess their protective ability.
Folic acid has been suggested as a treatment for people with Huntington's because it interacts with homocysteine, a compound that makes nerve cells more vulnerable to glutamate. Gabapentin and lamotrigine, both glutamate inhibitors, are used in epilepsy treatment and as a mood stabilizer, respectively. These three compounds did not significantly protect the cultured cells.
However, a drug called memantine, which is used to treat Alzheimer's disease, and riluzole, used in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, did protect the cells. Memantine demonstrated a stronger effect in the study. Memantine has also shown evidence of retarding the progression of Huntington's in people, while riluzole has helped relieve some symptoms.
"Our results provide the first systematic comparison of various clinically relevant glutamate pathway inhibitors for HD treatment and indicate that memantine holds the most promise based on its in vitro efficacy," Dr. Bezprozvanny said. "Whole animal studies of memantine in an HD mouse model will be required to validate these findings.\\\
UT Southwestern Medical Center
Huntingtons Disease Current Events and Huntingtons Disease News RSSMayo discovers link between Huntington's and abnormal cholesterol levels in brain
Mayo Clinic researchers have discovered a protein interaction that may explain how the deadly Huntington's disease affects the brain.
Test reveals effectiveness of potential Huntington's disease drugs
A test using cultured cells provides an effective way to screen drugs against Huntington's disease and shows that two compounds - memantine and riluzole - are most effective at keeping cells alive under conditions that mimic the disorder, UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers report.
New technology to speed up research into Huntington's disease
A new tool developed at Cambridge University represents a breakthrough in the race to find treatments to help sufferers with Huntington's disease.
"Booster rocket" malfunction implicated in Huntington's disease
CNRS and Inserm research scientists at the Institut Curie have shed new light on the function of huntingtin, the protein whose mutation underlies Huntington's disease. This neurodegenerative disease, like Alzheimer's or Parkinson's, is characterized by the abnormal death of certain neurons. The scientists have discovered that huntingtin, like a "booster rocket", accelerates the transport of a neuron survival factor. When huntingtin is mutated, the "booster rocket" malfunctions, transport slows, protection wanes, and neurons die. This discovery, published in the 9 July 2004 issue of Cell, could in time lead to novel therapeutic methods of blocking the accelerated death of neurons.
Could A Protein Have Saved Salem's Witches From Burning At The Stake?
Huntington's disease (HD), a fatal degenerative disorder of the brain, can be alleviated by administration of a protein known to promote neuron survival, say scientists in the January's journal Experimental Neurology.
A new pathway for halting neuronal death in Huntington's disease
The body is an extremely complex puzzle in which every piece plays a critical role. Should pieces disappear harmony is compromised. Such is the case with certain neurodegenerative diseases; when neurons suddenly die, the body's ability to function properly is jeopardized. CNRS (1) and INSERM biologists from the Curie Institute are working to understand how neurons die in one specific neurodegenerative disease: Huntington's disease. They have just announced the discovery of two new factors capable of blocking cell death induced in Huntington's disease. They may eventually provide targets for the therapeutic treatment of this type of disease. These discoveries were published in the 7th of Ju
Patients' views about their illness can help treatment planning
What is it like to be chronically ill? Those people with severe illnesses such as Huntington's disease or multiple sclerosis do not see their illness in the same way as health professionals do. Associate professor Ad Kaptein, Leiden University, Netherlands organised an international symposium on patients' representations of their illnesses at the joint British Psychological Society's Division of Health Psychology and European Health Psychology Society conference held at St Andrews University, today, Wednesday 5 September. Health psychologists from Portugal, New Zealand, the Netherlands and the UK were discussing the following research. Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic, incurable and debili
More Huntingtons Disease Current Events and Huntingtons Disease News Articles
 |
Huntington's Disease (The Facts) by Oliver W J Quarrell (Author) Huntington's disease is a genetically inherited condition which results in severe nerve-cell damage in the brain. The hereditary and debilitative nature of the disease means that many people are involved either directly or indirectly by this condition. The recent identification of the faulty gene involved has made the diagnosis of this condition simpler. The majority of people develop the disease between the ages of 35 and 55 years, so for those aware of their genetic risk there are dilemmas to consider - should you have a test to see if you have the gene? Should you start a family? The new edition of this successful book specifically designed for families of patients with Huntington's disease has been expanded to include a number of important new developments in research and... |
 |
Learning to Live With Huntington's Disease: One Family's Story by Sandy Sulaiman (Author) Huntington's Disease (HD) is a hereditary illness passed on via a defective gene. There is a fifty per cent chance of inheriting it from a parent and there is yet no cure. "Learning to Live with Huntington's Disease" is one family's poignant story of coping with the symptoms, the diagnosis and the effects of HD. This book presents the struggles and strengths of the whole family when one member loses their future to a terminal illness. Told by the sufferer and other significant family members, the individuals describe the burden of watching yourself and others for symptoms of HD, including involuntary movements, depression, clumsiness, weight loss, slurred speech and sometimes violent tendencies. The family recounts the challenge to remain united and describes how they approached issues... |
 |
The Woman Who Walked into the Sea: Huntington's and the Making of a Genetic Disease by Alice Wexler (Author) When Phebe Hedges, a woman in East Hampton, New York, walked into the sea in 1806, she made visible the historical experience of a family affected by the dreaded disorder of movement, mind, and mood her neighbors called St.Vitus's dance. Doctors later spoke of Huntington’s chorea, and today it is known as Huntington's disease. This book is the first history of Huntington’s in America.
Starting with the life of Phebe Hedges, Alice Wexler uses Huntington’s as a lens to explore the changing meanings of heredity, disability, stigma, and medical knowledge among ordinary people as well as scientists and physicians. She addresses these themes through three overlapping stories: the lives of... |
|
Huntington's Disease [VHS] Directed By: Tina Campbell | |
 |
Huntington's Disease Awareness Ribbon Mouse Pad by MyHeritageWear.com The Huntington's Disease Ribbon proudly displayed on a mouse pad. There is no better way to achieve awareness for the meaning of the Huntington's Disease Ribbon than to display it on your mouse pad for everyone to see. The mouse pad measures at 9.25 x 7.75, it is machine washable, and the colors will not fade or run. Start gaining awareness today by presenting your Huntington's Disease Ribbon mouse pad at work or at home. It is certain to keep your mouse rolling in style all while gaining support and awareness! |
 |
Insurrection Also With: WB (Producer) |
 |
Huntington's Disease: The Facts by Oliver Quarrell (Author) Huntington's Disease is a genetically inherited condition, the result of severe nerve-cell damage in the brain. Due to the recent identification of the gene involved, and the debilitating nature of the disease, a great many more people are now affected either directly or indirectly (families and carers) by this condition. The majority of people develop the disease between the ages of 35 and 55, so for those that are aware of a genetic inheritance, there are enormous problems to confront - should you carry on life as normal? Should you start a family? In this, the first book on Huntington's disease written for sufferers and their families, advice is given on living with this disabling illness. Written as much for carers as for the patients themselves, the book aims to answer some of the... |
|
RAGING WAR ON HUNTINGTON'S DISEASE | |
 |
The Test: Living in the Shadow of Huntington's Disease by Jean Barema (Author) A memoir of the five years Barema spent in anguish over the decision to take the test for Huntington's disease. Barema recalls his long, emotionally wrought journey from deciding to take the test to receiving the results; he describes how his daily life was consumed by questions and fear; and he movingly depicts the patience of his wife and the compassion of his doctor. This is both a suspense story and a vivid portrayal of the devastation Huntington's disease causes the families it strikes. Ultimately, it is a book about the power of hope and love to reach us even in our lowest moments. |
 |
Prevagen Aequorin, 30-Count Bottle by Prevagen PrevagenTM is a ground breaking dietary supplement from a jellyfish and is designed to fight aging. Scientific studies show a decrease in cellular death by up to 50 percent when treated with Prevagen. Prevagen is the first supplement to address aging through the restoration of calcium-binding proteins. Replenish age-fighting proteins, feel younger, and have more energy with Prevagen. You lose it, Prevagen Replaces it Throughout the aging process your body loses its ability to make calcium-binding proteins.* The lack of these protective proteins can result in the death of your cells that are involved in learning and memory. Prevagen is designed to replace these proteins and help you fight aging.* The animation to the left demonstrates how Prevagen can replenish... |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |