Today is a Good Day Filled With Hope for the Future
Dear Shana,
I want to report exciting news that was released today. HDSA Coalition for the Cure Researcher Michael Hayden announced that his team has found that by blocking the action of a key enzyme (caspase-6) in the process that causes the cleavage of mutant huntingtin protein, they have been able to prevent symptoms of Huntington’s Disease from developing in a mouse. There are many steps ahead to determine how this model of prevention in a mouse can be implemented using drug inhibitors. If promising substances are identified they would be moved along the HDSA Research Continuum to clinical trials which could yield potential treatments. Dr. Martha A. Nance, member of the HDSA MSAC (Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee) on Dr. Hayden’s work:
“After over 25 years of research on Huntington disease, Dr. Hayden and his group in Canada have made a remarkable discovery, that they can prevent the symptoms of HD from occurring in a genetically-engineered HD mouse by altering the huntingtin protein so that it cannot be "snipped" into pieces by the caspase-6 enzyme. Although this finding, by itself, is not a cure for HD, it suggests that treatments to block the activity of the caspase-6 enzyme in humans would be a promising avenue for researchers to pursue. Combined with earlier reports that brain cells have the ability to "clean themselves up" if the production of the abnormal huntingtin protein is stopped, this should give renewed hope to HD-affected persons and their families. There is no better time than now to support HD research efforts, as we move ever closer to treatments for the disease!”
Dear Shana,
I want to report exciting news that was released today. HDSA Coalition for the Cure Researcher Michael Hayden announced that his team has found that by blocking the action of a key enzyme (caspase-6) in the process that causes the cleavage of mutant huntingtin protein, they have been able to prevent symptoms of Huntington’s Disease from developing in a mouse. There are many steps ahead to determine how this model of prevention in a mouse can be implemented using drug inhibitors. If promising substances are identified they would be moved along the HDSA Research Continuum to clinical trials which could yield potential treatments. Dr. Martha A. Nance, member of the HDSA MSAC (Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee) on Dr. Hayden’s work:
“After over 25 years of research on Huntington disease, Dr. Hayden and his group in Canada have made a remarkable discovery, that they can prevent the symptoms of HD from occurring in a genetically-engineered HD mouse by altering the huntingtin protein so that it cannot be "snipped" into pieces by the caspase-6 enzyme. Although this finding, by itself, is not a cure for HD, it suggests that treatments to block the activity of the caspase-6 enzyme in humans would be a promising avenue for researchers to pursue. Combined with earlier reports that brain cells have the ability to "clean themselves up" if the production of the abnormal huntingtin protein is stopped, this should give renewed hope to HD-affected persons and their families. There is no better time than now to support HD research efforts, as we move ever closer to treatments for the disease!”
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