A new clinical trial using a novel, ultra-sensitive test allows scientists to measure the mutant protein in the cerebrospinal fluid of Huntington’s disease patients. Researchers found that the level of mutant protein is higher in patients with more advanced disease. The concentration of mutant protein also predicts the severity of movement and cognitive problem in patients.
Dr. Blair Leavitt, a professor in UBC’s department of medical genetics heading up the city’s part of the international clinical trial, said the drug has the potential to directly treat the underlying cause of Huntington’s disease.
The drug, which was developed by California-based Isis Pharmaceuticals, will be administered into the patients’ cerebrospinal fluid to “turn off” the mutant gene in the brain, said Leavitt.
http://metronews.ca/news/vancouver/1333888/new-drug-for-huntingtons-disease-to-be-tested-in-vancouver/
Dr. Blair Leavitt, a professor in UBC’s department of medical genetics heading up the city’s part of the international clinical trial, said the drug has the potential to directly treat the underlying cause of Huntington’s disease.
The drug, which was developed by California-based Isis Pharmaceuticals, will be administered into the patients’ cerebrospinal fluid to “turn off” the mutant gene in the brain, said Leavitt.
http://metronews.ca/news/vancouver/1333888/new-drug-for-huntingtons-disease-to-be-tested-in-vancouver/
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