Ray Truant, Rachel J Harding, Kaitlyn Neuman, Tamara Maiuri
{"title":"Revisiting huntingtin activity and localization signals in the context of protein structure.","authors":"Ray Truant, Rachel J Harding, Kaitlyn Neuman, Tamara Maiuri","doi":"10.1177/18796397241295303","DOIUrl":"10.1177/18796397241295303","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Protein localization signals and activity motifs have been defined within huntingtin since 2003. Advances in technology in protein structure determination by cryo-electron microscopy (EM) have led to 2.6 Å resolution structures of huntingtin and HAP40 for the majority of the protein, although structure of the amino terminus with the polyglutamine expansion remains elusive in the context of full-length huntingtin. Recent advances in protein modeling using neural network algorithms trained on a database of known protein structures has resulted in structure predictions that are useful for researchers but need experimental validation. Here, we use both structures solved by cryo-EM as well as modeling centered around experimental structural data to retrospectively revisit huntingtin protein localization signals identified prior to the cryo-EM and AI-enabled structural revolutions. We interrogate these models as well as put forward testable hypotheses of allosteric changes in huntingtin and how they could be affected by polyglutamine expansion. We also extended this methodology to another polyglutamine disease protein, ataxin-1, expanded in Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 1 (SCA1).</p>","PeriodicalId":16042,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Huntington's disease","volume":"13 4","pages":"419-430"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143458182","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kasper F van der Zwaan, Milou Jacobs, Raymund A C Roos, Susanne T de Bot
{"title":"Huntington's disease at work: The effect of profession-specific requirements as related to clinical characteristics on work outcome.","authors":"Kasper F van der Zwaan, Milou Jacobs, Raymund A C Roos, Susanne T de Bot","doi":"10.1177/18796397241288161","DOIUrl":"10.1177/18796397241288161","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>In most Huntington's disease expanded gene carriers (HDEGC), losing work capacity is the first sign of functional decline. Cognitive deterioration, motor dysfunction, and psychiatric disturbances are associated with or predict work outcomes in HD. The role of profession-specific requirements, however, has not been investigated.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study examines the relationship between work outcomes, clinical characteristics, burnout, and profession-specific requirements in HDEGC. We hypothesize that burnout-like symptoms are associated with mild apathy and that profession-specific requirements influence clinical characteristics affecting work capacity in HD.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cohort of 117 HDEGC (CAG repeat ≥36) participated in the \"HD-work\" study at Leiden University Medical Center. Participants were 18-67 years old, either, worked at baseline, or had lost their job within two years. The Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale assessed motor abilities, global functioning, and cognition. The HD-work questionnaire and the 'Utrecht Burn Out Scale' assessed work problems and burnout. Statistical methods included descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, Cronbachs alpha, t-tests, and logistic regressions.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Burnout-like symptoms did not differ between those with full and reduced working capacity and were not more prevalent in HD than in the general Dutch population. No significant effect was found between work outcomes and profession-specific requirements, even when adjusted for clinical characteristics.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our study suggests that profession-specific requirements do not significantly impact work ability among individuals with HD in early phases of HD. Workplace adjustments should be tailored to individual preferences rather than profession-specific demands. Burnout-like symptoms did not affect work capacity or relate to apathy.</p>","PeriodicalId":16042,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Huntington's disease","volume":"13 4","pages":"547-555"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143458164","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Upcoming meetings related to Huntington's disease.","authors":"","doi":"10.1177/18796397241306778","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/18796397241306778","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":16042,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Huntington's disease","volume":"13 4","pages":"569"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143458278","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Karen E Anderson, Lakshmi Arbatti, Abhishek Hosamath, Andrew Feigin, Jody Goldstein, Elise Kayson, Brett L Kinsler, Lauren Falanga, Lynn Denise, Noelle E Carlozzi, Samuel Frank, Katie Jackson, Sandra Kostyk, Jennifer L Purks, Kenneth P Serbin, Shari Kinel, Christopher A Beck, Ira Shoulson
{"title":"What Huntington's Disease Patients Say About Their Illness: An Online Direct-to-Participant Pilot Study.","authors":"Karen E Anderson, Lakshmi Arbatti, Abhishek Hosamath, Andrew Feigin, Jody Goldstein, Elise Kayson, Brett L Kinsler, Lauren Falanga, Lynn Denise, Noelle E Carlozzi, Samuel Frank, Katie Jackson, Sandra Kostyk, Jennifer L Purks, Kenneth P Serbin, Shari Kinel, Christopher A Beck, Ira Shoulson","doi":"10.3233/JHD-231520","DOIUrl":"10.3233/JHD-231520","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Direct-to-participant online reporting facilitates the conduct of clinical research by increasing access and clinically meaningful patient engagement.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>We assessed feasibility of online data collection from adults with diagnosed Huntington's disease (HD) who directly reported their problems and impact in their own words.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Data were collected online from consenting United States residents who self-identified as 1) having been diagnosed with Huntington's disease, 2) able to ambulate independently, and 3) self-sufficient for most daily needs. Data for this pilot study were collected using the Huntington Study Group myHDstory online research platform. The Huntington Disease Patient Report of Problems (HD-PROP), an open-ended questionnaire, was used to capture verbatim bothersome problems and functional impact. Natural language processing, human-in-the-loop curation of verbatim reports involving clinical and experience experts, and machine learning classified verbatim-reports into clinically meaningful symptoms.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>All 8 questionnaires in the online pilot study were completed by 345 participants who were 60.9% men, 34.5±9.9 (mean±SD) years old, and 9.5±8.4 years since HD diagnosis. Racial self-identification was 46.4% Caucasian, 28.7% African American, 15.4% American Indian/Alaska Native, and 9.5% other. Accuracy of verbatim classification was 99%. Non-motor problems were the most frequently reported symptoms; depression and cognitive impairment were the most common.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Online research participation was feasible for a diverse cohort of adults who self-reported an HD diagnosis and predominantly non-motor symptoms related to mood and cognition. Online research tools can help inform what bothers HD patients, identify clinically meaningful outcomes, and facilitate participation by diverse and under-represented populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":16042,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Huntington's disease","volume":" ","pages":"237-248"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140857282","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Gut Microbiota as a Modifier of Huntington's Disease Pathogenesis.","authors":"Ali Khoshnan","doi":"10.3233/JHD-240012","DOIUrl":"10.3233/JHD-240012","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Huntingtin (HTT) protein is expressed in most cell lineages, and the toxicity of mutant HTT in multiple organs may contribute to the neurological and psychiatric symptoms observed in Huntington's disease (HD). The proteostasis and neurotoxicity of mutant HTT are influenced by the intracellular milieu and responses to environmental signals. Recent research has highlighted a prominent role of gut microbiota in brain and immune system development, aging, and the progression of neurological disorders. Several studies suggest that mutant HTT might disrupt the homeostasis of gut microbiota (known as dysbiosis) and impact the pathogenesis of HD. Dysbiosis has been observed in HD patients, and in animal models of the disease it coincides with mutant HTT aggregation, abnormal behaviors, and reduced lifespan. This review article aims to highlight the potential toxicity of mutant HTT in organs and pathways within the microbiota-gut-immune-central nervous system (CNS) axis. Understanding the functions of Wild-Type (WT) HTT and the toxicity of mutant HTT in these organs and the associated networks may elucidate novel pathogenic pathways, identify biomarkers and peripheral therapeutic targets for HD.</p>","PeriodicalId":16042,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Huntington's disease","volume":" ","pages":"133-147"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11307070/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140904492","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nienke J H van Os, Mayke Oosterloo, Brigitte A B Essers, Janneke P C Grutters, Bart P C van de Warrenburg
{"title":"Genetic Interventions for Spinocerebellar Ataxia and Huntington's Disease: A Qualitative Study of the Patient Perspective.","authors":"Nienke J H van Os, Mayke Oosterloo, Brigitte A B Essers, Janneke P C Grutters, Bart P C van de Warrenburg","doi":"10.3233/JHD-240026","DOIUrl":"10.3233/JHD-240026","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>For various genetic disorders characterized by expanded cytosine-adenine-guanine (CAG) repeats, such as spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) subtypes and Huntington's disease (HD), genetic interventions are currently being tested in different clinical trial phases. The patient's perspective on such interventions should be included in the further development and implementation of these new treatments.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To obtain insight into the thoughts and perspectives of individuals with SCA and HD on genetic interventions.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this qualitative study, participants were interviewed using semi-structured interview techniques. Topics discussed were possible risks and benefits, and logistic factors such as timing, location and expertise. Data were analyzed using a generic thematic analysis. Responses were coded into superordinate themes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Ten participants (five with SCA and five with HD) were interviewed. In general, participants seemed to be willing to undergo genetic interventions. Important motives were the lack of alternative disease-modifying treatment options, the hope for slowing down disease progression, and preservation of current quality of life. Before undergoing genetic interventions, participants wished to be further informed. Logistic factors such as mode and frequency of administration, expertise of the healthcare provider, and timing of treatment are of influence in the decision-making process.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study identified assumptions, motives, and topics that require further attention before these new therapies, if proven effective, can be implemented in clinical practice. The results may help in the design of care pathways for genetic interventions for these and other rare genetic movement disorders.</p>","PeriodicalId":16042,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Huntington's disease","volume":" ","pages":"321-328"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11492111/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141537923","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Marian DiFiglia, Blair R Leavitt, Douglas Macdonald, Leslie M Thompson
{"title":"Towards Standardizing Nomenclature in Huntington's Disease Research.","authors":"Marian DiFiglia, Blair R Leavitt, Douglas Macdonald, Leslie M Thompson","doi":"10.3233/JHD-240044","DOIUrl":"10.3233/JHD-240044","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The field of Huntington's disease research covers many different scientific disciplines, from molecular biology all the way through to clinical practice, and as our understanding of the disease has progressed over the decades, a great deal of different terminology has accrued. The field is also renowned for its collaborative spirit and use of standardized reagents, assays, datasets, models, and clinical measures, so the use of standardized terms is especially important. We have set out to determine, through a consensus exercise involving basic and clinical scientists working in the field, the most appropriate language to use across disciplines. Nominally, this article will serve as the style guide for the Journal of Huntington's Disease (JHD), the only journal devoted exclusively to HD, and we lay out the preferred and standardized terminology and nomenclature for use in JHD publications. However, we hope that this article will also serve as a useful resource to the HD research community at large and that these recommended naming conventions will be adopted widely.</p>","PeriodicalId":16042,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Huntington's disease","volume":"13 2","pages":"119-131"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11307060/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141537925","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Russell G Wells, Azzam F Azzam, Amie L Hiller, Michael F Sardinia
{"title":"Effects of an Angiotensin IV Analog on 3-Nitropropionic Acid-Induced Huntington's Disease-Like Symptoms in Rats.","authors":"Russell G Wells, Azzam F Azzam, Amie L Hiller, Michael F Sardinia","doi":"10.3233/JHD-231507","DOIUrl":"10.3233/JHD-231507","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor, cognitive, and psychiatric dysfunction caused by a mutant huntingtin protein. Compromised metabolic activity resulting from systemic administration of the mitochondrial toxin, 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP), is known to mimic the pathology of HD and induce HD-like symptoms in rats. N-hexanoic-Tyr-Ile-(6)-amino hexanoic amide (PNB-0408), also known as Dihexa, has been shown to have neuroprotective and procognitive properties in animal models of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Given the mechanism of action and success in other neurodegenerative diseases, we felt it an appropriate compound to investigate further for HD.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>The present study was designed to test if PNB-0408, an angiotensin IV analog, could attenuate 3-NP-induced HD-like symptoms in rats and serve as a potential therapeutic agent.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Forty male Wistar rats were randomized into three groups consisting of a \"vehicle\" group, a \"3-NP\" group, and a \"3-NP + PNB-0408\" group. PNB-0408 was administered along with chronic exposure to 3-NP. Animal body weight, motor function, and cognitive abilities were measured for five weeks, before euthanasia and histopathological analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Exposure to 3-NP decreased the amount of weight rats gained, impaired spatial learning and memory consolidation, and led to marked motor dysfunction. From our observations and analysis, PNB-0408 did not protect rats from the deficits induced by 3-NP neurotoxicity.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our findings suggest that PNB-0408 may not be an efficacious treatment strategy for preventing 3-NP-induced HD-like symptoms in a preclinical model. These data highlight the need for further research of this compound in alternate models and/or alternative approaches to managing this disorder.</p>","PeriodicalId":16042,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Huntington's disease","volume":" ","pages":"55-66"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140136908","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nicola Z Hobbs, Marina Papoutsi, Aline Delva, Kirsi M Kinnunen, Mitsuko Nakajima, Koen Van Laere, Wim Vandenberghe, Priyantha Herath, Rachael I Scahill
{"title":"Neuroimaging to Facilitate Clinical Trials in Huntington's Disease: Current Opinion from the EHDN Imaging Working Group.","authors":"Nicola Z Hobbs, Marina Papoutsi, Aline Delva, Kirsi M Kinnunen, Mitsuko Nakajima, Koen Van Laere, Wim Vandenberghe, Priyantha Herath, Rachael I Scahill","doi":"10.3233/JHD-240016","DOIUrl":"10.3233/JHD-240016","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p> Neuroimaging is increasingly being included in clinical trials of Huntington's disease (HD) for a wide range of purposes from participant selection and safety monitoring, through to demonstration of disease modification. Selection of the appropriate modality and associated analysis tools requires careful consideration. On behalf of the EHDN Imaging Working Group, we present current opinion on the utility and future prospects for inclusion of neuroimaging in HD trials. Covering the key imaging modalities of structural-, functional- and diffusion- MRI, perfusion imaging, positron emission tomography, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and magnetoencephalography, we address how neuroimaging can be used in HD trials to: 1) Aid patient selection, enrichment, stratification, and safety monitoring; 2) Demonstrate biodistribution, target engagement, and pharmacodynamics; 3) Provide evidence for disease modification; and 4) Understand brain re-organization following therapy. We also present the challenges of translating research methodology into clinical trial settings, including equipment requirements and cost, standardization of acquisition and analysis, patient burden and invasiveness, and interpretation of results. We conclude, that with appropriate consideration of modality, study design and analysis, imaging has huge potential to facilitate effective clinical trials in HD.</p>","PeriodicalId":16042,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Huntington's disease","volume":" ","pages":"163-199"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11307036/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141093492","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mayke Oosterloo, Alexiane Touze, Lauren M Byrne, Jannis Achenbach, Hande Aksoy, Annabelle Coleman, Dawn Lammert, Martha Nance, Peggy Nopoulos, Ralf Reilmann, Carsten Saft, Helen Santini, Ferdinando Squitieri, Sarah Tabrizi, Jean-Marc Burgunder, Oliver Quarrell
{"title":"Clinical Review of Juvenile Huntington's Disease.","authors":"Mayke Oosterloo, Alexiane Touze, Lauren M Byrne, Jannis Achenbach, Hande Aksoy, Annabelle Coleman, Dawn Lammert, Martha Nance, Peggy Nopoulos, Ralf Reilmann, Carsten Saft, Helen Santini, Ferdinando Squitieri, Sarah Tabrizi, Jean-Marc Burgunder, Oliver Quarrell","doi":"10.3233/JHD-231523","DOIUrl":"10.3233/JHD-231523","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p> Juvenile Huntington's disease (JHD) is rare. In the first decade of life speech difficulties, rigidity, and dystonia are common clinical motor symptoms, whereas onset in the second decade motor symptoms may sometimes resemble adult-onset Huntington's disease (AOHD). Cognitive decline is mostly detected by declining school performances. Behavioral symptoms in general do not differ from AOHD but may be confused with autism spectrum disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and lead to misdiagnosis and/or diagnostic delay. JHD specific features are epilepsy, ataxia, spasticity, pain, itching, and possibly liver steatosis. Disease progression of JHD is faster compared to AOHD and the disease duration is shorter, particularly in case of higher CAG repeat lengths. The diagnosis is based on clinical judgement in combination with a positive family history and/or DNA analysis after careful consideration. Repeat length in JHD is usually > 55 and caused by anticipation, usually via paternal transmission. There are no pharmacological and multidisciplinary guidelines for JHD treatment. Future perspectives for earlier diagnosis are better diagnostic markers such as qualitative MRI and neurofilament light in serum.</p>","PeriodicalId":16042,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Huntington's disease","volume":" ","pages":"149-161"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11307030/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140856129","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}