Journal of Huntington's Disease

11/06/2026

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29/05/2026

We are delighted to share the release of a Special Review Issue in the Journal of Huntington’s Disease: “Neurodevelopment in Huntington’s disease.”

Thank-you to the Review Editors Professors Peg Nopoulos (University of Iowa) and Elena Cattaneo (University of Milan). This timely collection brings together leading experts to explore an emerging and important question in Huntington’s disease (HD) research: how early brain development may shape the course of the condition.

While HD is often understood as a neurodegenerative condition, growing evidence suggests that changes in neurodevelopment (brain development) may also play a role. Given the critical function of the huntingtin protein (the protein linked to HD) in normal brain development, this perspective opens up new ways of thinking about disease mechanisms, progression, and even resilience.

Across this issue, contributors examine diverse approaches and evolving frameworks that are reshaping our understanding of HD, from developmental biology to clinical insights. At the same time, key questions remain: how do early changes influence later outcomes, and could they have both positive and negative effects in people with HD?

We hope this collection sparks discussion, collaboration, and new avenues of research across the HD community and beyond.

Explore the full Special Issue: https://journals.sagepub.com/toc/huna/15/2

30/04/2026

💊 Managing Irritability in HD: The Search for Solutions

Irritability is one of the most burdensome symptoms of Huntington’s Disease (HD), impacting the daily lives of both patients and their caregivers. Currently, there are no FDA-approved medications specifically for this symptom.

A recent pilot study investigated whether dextromethorphan/quinidine (DM/Q), better known as NUEDEXTA®, could help manage irritability in people with HD.

The Study Setup:
Researchers conducted a 13-week randomized, double-blind, crossover trial. Participants were split into two phases:
• 🧪 The DM/Q Phase – Received a 20/10 mg dose (gradually increased to twice daily).
• 💊 The Placebo Phase – Received a placebo (dummy pill) with no active medication.

Key Findings:
• Whilst the DM/Q and Placebo phases both reduced irritability to some extent, there was no significant difference between these groups in reducing irritability overall.
• There was no statistically significant advantage for the DM/Q phase over the placebo in reducing irritability.
• The drug did not show any additional benefits for motor skills, cognitive function, or other behavioral symptoms compared to the placebo.

Takeaway:
While DM/Q did not prove more effective than a placebo in this specific pilot study, the research highlights the critical need for larger trials and new therapeutic strategies. It is important to remember that understanding what doesn't work is a vital step toward finding what does.

📖 Read the full study for more details on the clinical trial results: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epub/10.1177/18796397251411112

13/04/2026

🧠 Can brain training change how the brain works in Huntington’s disease (HD)?
A small study explored whether computerized cognitive training (CCT) could improve brain function and communication between different brain regions in people in the pre-manifest or early-stages of HD.

🔬 Participants completed a 12-week programme of CCT or received monthly lifestyle education newsletters. MRI scans were used to measure brain activity and connectivity at the beginning and end of the study.

💻 While CCT led to improvements in cognitive task performance, it did not result in measurable changes in brain activity or connectivity, either during tasks or at rest. This may be due to the small sample size, highlighting the need for larger studies to better understand the potential effects of CCT on the brain.

💡 Bottom line: CCT may help with cognitive performance, but it’s still unclear whether it changes the underlying brain networks in HD. More research is needed to explore this further.

🔗 To read more about this article, follow the link: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epub/10.1177/18796397251399752

30/03/2026

❓ Why is weight loss so common in Huntington’s disease (HD) and makes weight gain so difficult to manage? A new qualitative study explores these issues by listening to both healthcare professionals and people affected by HD across the UK.

🌍 Professionals highlighted that while monitoring weight in HD is widely recommended, this can be difficult to sustain long-term. This is because access to specialist support can vary significantly, creating a “geographical lottery” in care.

🍽️ People with HD and their caregivers described how it can be a struggle to keep up with the volume of food required in a day, leading to a feeling of constant eating.

🧠 Both professionals and people with HD pointed to cognitive and psychological factors, like apathy, difficulties with planning, and lack of familial support as major barriers to eating well, alongside physical challenges such as swallowing difficulties and involuntary movements.

Bottom line: Weight loss in HD isn’t just about food intake but can be shaped by a complex mix of physical, cognitive, emotional, and social factors. This highlights the increasing need for proactive and personalised care for people with HD.

🔗 To read more about this research, follow the link: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epdf/10.1177/18796397261435111