Neurodegenerative Diseases

Friedreich’s ataxia (FRDA), a neurodevelopmental and progressive neurodegenerative disease, is the most common inherited form of ataxia, with disease incidence as high as 1 in 29,000 in Caucasian populations.1 Patients typically present with ataxia from ages 7 to 15 years and lose the ability to walk by their mid-twenties.2 Other common features include cardiomyopathy, diabetes, spasticity, hearing […]

Huntington’s disease (HD) is a genetic neurodegenerative disease that can affect movement, cognition and mental health. It is caused by a dominant mutation in the huntingtin gene, HTT. HD is estimated to occur in 5–10 people per 100,000 yearly, worldwide.1 Pridopidine (Prilenia Neurotherapeutics Ltd, Greenwork Park, Kibbutz Yakum, 6097200, Israel), a sigma-1 receptor (S1R) agonist, is currently under investigation in the phase III […]

Dealing with behavioural and psychological symptoms (BPSD) in dementia care The Alzheimer Europe lunch debate of 21 March 2023, focusing on “Dealing with behavioural and psychological symptoms (BPSD) in dementia care”, was a hybrid event attended by MEPs and other representatives of the European Parliament, the European Commission, Health Ministries and other national policymakers, industry […]

The phase 2 study results of ANX005, a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting C1q, for patients with Huntington’s disease were presented at MDS 2022. In this touchNEUROLOGY interview, we speak with Dr Rajeev Kumar (Rocky Mountain Movement Disorders Center, Englewood, CO, USA) to discuss the key results, their significance and the next steps. The abstract entitled […]

ANX005, a humanized monoclonal antibody, is designed to inhibit the classical complement pathway which has been associated with Huntington’s disease (HD). In this touchNEUROLOGY interview, we speak with Dr Rajeev Kumar (Rocky Mountain Movement Disorders Center, Englewood, CO, USA) to discuss the role of complement activation in people living with HD and why ANX005 is […]

This study in patients with Huntington’s disease aimed to assess insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels and hypothalamic function, and the association with non-motor symptoms and brain structure. In this touchNEUROLOGY interview, we speak with Dr Esther Cubo (Hospital Universitario de Burgos, Burgos, Spain) to discuss the study, its findings and future studies that are planned.  […]

Huntingtin (HTT) is a gene containing a key region of CAG repeats. Dr Salvatore Mazzeo (University of Florence, Florence, Italy) discusses his study on HTT alleles containing from 27 to 35 CAG repeats – termed intermediate alleles (IAs) – and the effect of these IAs on progression of cognitive impairment in patients with subjective cognitive […]

In this touchNEUROLOGY interview at EAN 2022, Dr Salvatore Mazzeo (University of Florence, Florence, Italy) discusses his study on HTT alleles containing from 27 to 35 CAG repeats – termed intermediate alleles (IAs) – and the effect of these IAs on progression of cognitive impairment in patients with subjective cognitive decline. The abstract titled, Huntingtin […]

There are currently no disease-modifying medications for the treatment of Huntington’s disease,  and current treatment is entirely dependent on symptomatic therapies. Prof. Erin Furr-Stimming (McGovern Medical School, University of Texas, Health Science Centre, Houston, TX, USA) joins touchNEUROLOGY to discuss the current treatment landscape of Huntington’s disease and the limitations of current treatment options. Watch […]