Huntington’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that impacts movement, behaviour and cognition, generally resulting in death within 20 years of the disease’s onset. The disease steadily erodes memory and ability to think and learn. Over time, this cognitive impairment contributes to the loss of the ability to work and perform the activities of daily life. There are no treatments current available that effectively alter the course of the disease or improve cognition.
We have previously reported on the potential for Dimebon in Alzheimer’s disease (July 2008, July 2009), where the ability of the drug to stabilise and/or enhance mitochondrial function is believed to be of benefit. Mitochondria are also thought to play a role in the development of Huntington’s disease, suggesting that Dimebon could also have utility in this condition.
Karl Kieburtz, M.D., University of Rochester Medical Center neurologist and lead investigator on the Horizon trial, said:
“This is the first clinical trial that has focused on what is perhaps the most disabling aspect of the disease. While more investigation needs to be done, these results are encouraging and show, for the first time, a statistically significant benefit in terms of improved cognitive function in patients with Huntington’s disease.”
Results of the study are published in the Archives of Neurology.