A new study shows that the results could be used in future drug trials for people who are gene positive for HD but who are not yet showing overt symptoms.
Scientists have identified a set of tests that could help identify whether and how Huntingtons disease (HD) is progressing in groups of people who are not yet showing symptoms.
The latest findings from the TRACK-HD study, published in The Lancet Neurology, could be used to assess whether potential new treatments are slowing the disease up to 10 years before the development of noticeable symptoms.
Lead author Sarah Tabrizi from University College Londons Institute of Neurology explained that currently, the effectiveness of a new drug is decided by its ability to treat symptoms.
"These new tests could be used in future preventative drug trials in individuals who are gene positive for HD but are not yet showing overt motor symptoms. These people have the most to gain by initiating treatment early to delay the start of these overt symptoms and give them a high quality of life for a longer period of time."
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