Huntington’s Disease Treatment Involves Use of Antidepressants Antipsychotic Drugs, But No Approved Disease Modifying Therapies Present

 

Medicines can help to lessen some of the difficulties associated with Huntington's disease (HD), but ultimately, they do not stop or even slow down the degenerative process. Huntington’s disease treatment may include: anti-depressants and medications to ease irritability and mood swings. Therapeutic massage is also an alternative treatment, which can be very helpful in treating the complications of HD.

Doctors also recommend neuroleptics for patients with HD. These medications are often used in conjunction with a course of ongoing physiotherapy. By working with physical therapists, patients may be able to prevent or at least significantly reduce the impact of the disease on their lives. While medication may be helpful in alleviating pain and calming nerves, it cannot reverse the degenerative process that Huntington's disease treatment develops over time.

Another type of Huntington’s disease treatment are antipsychotic drugs. Anti-psychotic drugs are usually prescribed in severe cases, and they are often used to treat patients who have movement disorders. While antipsychotic medications have helped to lower some of the impacts of HD, they still do not address the overall disorder. Antipsychotic drugs may have a sedative effect, which means that patients using these medications may feel as though they are sleeping during the day. Additionally, antipsychotic drugs may cause some serious side effects. Parkinson's disease is one of them. In addition, these drugs may cause weight gain, which puts patients who use them at risk for obesity-related complications. Some studies have indicated that Parkinson's disease may become a problem for those taking these drugs, and the research is still ongoing.

For those who have uncontrollable shaking, tics, or muscle twitching, another medication that can be used to treat HD involves the use of antidepressants. However, it is important to note that Huntington's disease is not the only disorder that can have similar symptoms. Also, antidepressants can carry the same risks as antipsychotic drugs do. It is important for individuals with HD to talk with their doctor about the possibility of antidepressant therapy. If you have uncontrollable shaking, involuntary twitching, or involuntary shaking, speak to your doctor about the drugs you may be considering for treating your disease.

Although medications can be effective when taken during the early stages of HD, they may not be able to prevent the degenerative process that occurs over time. This is why it is important for patients to understand their medical history and what medications they may need. A thorough medical history can help to determine whether a patient may need to adjust their dosage or other medications. Understanding your medical history is imperative for patients and their physicians. This may help the physician to provide the proper treatment.

Currently there are no approved disease modifying therapies for HD. However, the U.S. has witnessed several clinical trials. For instance, in November 2020, PTC Therapeutics, Inc. the U.S.-based pharmaceutical company, initiated a Phase 1 clinical trial to evaluate PTC518 in healthy volunteers. PTC518 was identified from PTC's splicing platform and is being developed for the treatment of HD.

 (HD). PTC518 is an orally bioavailable molecule with broad central nervous system and systemic distribution and has been designed to target Huntingtin protein expression with high selectivity and specificity. PTC518 has favorable pharmaceutical properties and has demonstrated uniform lowering of the Huntingtin protein throughout the brain in animal models.