Currently, there are more than a dozen clinical trials for finding Huntington's Disease Treatment options, none of which have yet provided a cure. This disease is caused by a mutation in the huntingtin gene that results in an abnormally long protein, which in turn affects the neurons in the brain. Symptoms include motor and cognitive impairments, resulting in a high degree of dependence on caregivers. Gene therapy as Huntington's Disease Treatment is still in its infancy, but there are some promising ideas out there. One such is called AAV-Pyk2. This gene therapy uses an adeno-associated viral vector to deliver an artificial microRNA. The purpose of this gene therapy is to slow or stop the production of the faulty huntingtin gene. Several studies have investigated the efficacy of antipsychotics in Huntington's Disease Treatment. Most of the studies have used dopamine receptor antagonists as the primary antipsychotic agent. The results have been mixed. Some studies have shown positive effects while others have shown negative effects. Antipsychotics are prescribed more frequently at advanced disease stages than at earlier stages. In the pre-manifest phase, only a few percent of patients were prescribed an antipsychotic as Huntington's disease treatment. However, in the earliest stages of the disease, several neuropsychiatric symptoms occur. These include agitation, restlessness, paranoia, delusions, and anxiety. They are believed to be the prodromal symptoms of HD. It is common for patients with behavioral disturbances to be non-compliant with psychopharmacological strategies. Hence, it is important to provide adequate information to patients, caregivers, and families about the risks of depression and suicidal behavior. AUSTEDO (tetrabenazine) is a reversible inhibitor of VMAT2 (VMAT1), a protein whose expression is in the brain and peripheral neuroendocrine tissues. Its action is similar to reserpine, a drug that is currently used for Huntington's Disease Treatment. Huntington's disease is characterized by changes in cognition and mood. Patients with the disease are at an increased risk for suicidal behavior and depression. Tetrabenazine was studied for the treatment of chorea, a form of hyperkinetic movement disorder, in patients with Huntington's disease. Studies showed that AUSTEDO was effective in decreasing chorea, as measured by the Total Maximal Chorea Score (TMCS), an item on the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS). Patients were enrolled in an open-label, 2-cohort study. AUSTEDO was administered twice daily with meals. The dose was initially set at 6 mg/day but was titrated upward in 6 mg/day increments. This dosage was based on the reduction of chorea and agitation in patients. Using a high-quality supplement as Huntington's disease treatment can have major health benefits for people with HD. While the plight of those affected is heartbreaking, to say the least, it is not all doom and gloom. Numerous organizations offer support to those in need. One of these is the European Huntington's Disease Network. The other worthy of mention is the SHAPE project. The aforementioned acronym aficionado has been responsible for launching several initiatives. The aforementioned acronym is also a good starting point for information on the latest news, events, and research developments in the HD community. Hopefully, you can take some of the learnings from this briefing and apply them to your HD health regimen. Physical therapy can be an important part of Huntington's Disease Treatment. Physical therapy can improve posture, balance, and gait. It can also improve cognitive function. Patients are also prescribed medications to control involuntary muscle movements and improve mental health.
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