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Predictive genetic testing in Huntington's disease: should a neurologist be involved? Eur J Hum Genet 2020; 28:1205-1209. [PMID: 32404886 PMCID: PMC7608370 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-020-0633-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
International guidelines on Huntington's Disease recommend neurological examination in the predictive testing trajectory. Experiences and personal wishes of persons at risk of Huntington's Disease regarding this topic have never been evaluated. The objective was to provide an overview of the experiences of Dutch at-risk persons, opting for predictive testing, in consulting a neurologist before and after DNA analysis. Persons who were counseled in four Dutch clinics between 2017 and 2019 were retrospectively or prospectively approached for a questionnaire which listed topics as experiences with consultation and personal wishes. From 71 participants, 44 participants visited a neurologist. 41 participants indicated their visit to a neurologist as positive (93.2%). The majority of participants (n = 59) desired consulting a neurologist. Thirty-two participants indicated consultation shortly after (Desired After Group) and twenty-seven before DNA analysis (Desired Before Group) as personal wish. The Desired Before Group consisted of a significantly higher number of participants who actually consulted a neurologist before predictive testing (n = 26) compared with the number of participants who actually consulted a neurologist after DNA analysis in the Desired After Group (n = 11) (p < 0.001). The Desired After Group (n = 19) had a significantly higher number of Huntington's disease gene expansion carriers compared with the Desired Before Group (n = 5) (p 0.003). Participants are content with consultation. However, persons without the gene expansion still feel the need to get in touch with a neurologist. Therefore, offering a consultation with a neurologist before DNA analysis might be beneficial for all.
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Walker T, Ghosh B, Kipps C. Assessing Decline: Visualising Progression in Huntington's Disease using a Clinical Dashboard with Enroll-HD Data. J Huntingtons Dis 2018; 6:139-147. [PMID: 28550266 DOI: 10.3233/jhd-170234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Huntington's disease (HD), it remains unclear how symptom severity and rate of symptomatic change relates to age and CAG repeat number (CAGn). It is often difficult for clinicians to assess whether an affected individual's symptoms are progressing at a similar rate to their affected peers, limiting their ability to intervene at the most appropriate time. OBJECTIVE To develop a clinical dashboard that compares an individual's total motor score (TMS), total functional capacity (TFC) and symbol digit modality test (SDMT) scores against a global cohort, controlling for age and CAGn. The dashboard could then be used by clinicians to identify individuals progressing at a disproportionate rate to his or her peers. METHODS Annualised longitudinal clinical assessment scores from the Enroll-HD dataset were used to generate decline trajectories of the global cohort, allowing cross-sectional (TMS n = 734; TFC n = 734; SDMT n = 694) and longitudinal (TMS n = 270; TFC n = 270; SDMT n = 247) comparison with individual clinical symptom rating scores, to assess decline relative to affected peers. RESULTS An electronic dashboard with a dynamic output display was created that rapidly compares clinical symptom rating scores of a specific individual against affected peers from a global cohort of comparable CAGn. CONCLUSIONS This study shows the potential for use of multi-centre trial data in allowing comparison of the individual to a larger group to facilitate improved decision-making for individual patients. Visualisation of these metrics via a clinical dashboard demonstrates how it may aid identification of those with disproportionate decline, offering potential for intervention at specific critical points in the disease course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Walker
- Clinical Neurosciences, University ofSouthampton, Life Sciences Building, Highfield Campus, Southampton, UK
| | - Boyd Ghosh
- Clinical Neurosciences, University ofSouthampton, Life Sciences Building, Highfield Campus, Southampton, UK.,Wessex Neurological Centre, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - Christopher Kipps
- Clinical Neurosciences, University ofSouthampton, Life Sciences Building, Highfield Campus, Southampton, UK.,Wessex Neurological Centre, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK.,Wessex NIHR CLAHRC, University ofSouthampton, Life Sciences Building, Highfield Campus, Southampton, UK
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Schiefer J, Werner CJ, Reetz K. Clinical diagnosis and management in early Huntington's disease: a review. Degener Neurol Neuromuscul Dis 2015; 5:37-50. [PMID: 32669911 PMCID: PMC7337146 DOI: 10.2147/dnnd.s49135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2015] [Accepted: 04/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
This review focuses on clinical diagnosis and both pharmacological and nonpharmacological therapeutic options in early stages of the autosomal dominant inherited neurodegenerative Huntington's disease (HD). The available literature has been reviewed for motor, cognitive, and psychiatric alterations, which are the three major symptom domains of this devastating progressive disease. From a clinical point of view, one has to be aware that the HD phenotype can vary highly across individuals and during the course of the disease. Also, symptoms in juvenile HD can differ substantially from those with adult-onset of HD. Although there is no cure of HD and management is limited, motor and psychiatric symptoms often respond to pharmacotherapy, and nonpharmacological approaches as well as supportive care are essential. International treatment recommendations based on study results, critical statements, and expert opinions have been included. This review is restricted to symptomatic and supportive approaches since all attempts to establish a cure for the disease or modifying therapies have failed so far.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kathrin Reetz
- Euregional Huntington Center
- Jülich Aachen Research Alliance (JARA) – Translational Brain Medicine, Department of Neurology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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Tang C, Feigin A. Monitoring Huntington's disease progression through preclinical and early stages. Neurodegener Dis Manag 2012; 2:421-435. [PMID: 23243467 PMCID: PMC3519443 DOI: 10.2217/nmt.12.34] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant progressive neurodegenerative disorder that typically begins in middle adulthood. The neurodegenerative process that underlies HD, however, likely begins many years before clinical diagnosis. Since genetic testing can identify individuals that will develop HD during this preclinical period, clinical trials aiming to slow disease progression will likely focus on this phase of the illness in an effort to delay disease onset. How to best measure the efficacy of potential disease-modifying therapies in preclinical HD remains a complex challenge. This article will review the clinical and imaging measures that have been assessed as potential markers of disease progression in preclinical and early symptomatic HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris Tang
- Center for Neurosciences, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, 350 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA
| | - Andrew Feigin
- Center for Neurosciences, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, 350 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA
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Electrophysiological measures as potential biomarkers in Huntington's disease: Review and future directions. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 64:177-94. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresrev.2010.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2009] [Revised: 03/24/2010] [Accepted: 03/29/2010] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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Abstract
Huntington disease (HD) is a devastating illness, although its autosomal dominant genetic transmission allows a unique opportunity to study apparently healthy individuals before manifest disease. Attempts to study early disease are not unique in neurology (e.g., Mild Cognitive Impairment, Vascular Cognitive Impairment), but studying otherwise-healthy appearing individuals who will go on with nearly 99% certainty to manifest the symptoms of brain disease does provide distinct but valuable information about the true natural history of the disease. The field has witnessed an explosion of research examining possible early indicators of HD during what is now referred to as the "prodrome" of HD. A NIH study in its ninth year (PREDICT-HD) has offered a glimpse into the transition from an apparently healthy state to an obviously diseased state, and can serve as a model for many other genetic diseases, both neurological and non-neurological.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane S Paulsen
- University of Iowa, The Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Departments of Psychiatry, Neurology, Neurosciences, and Psychology, Iowa City, IA
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Biglan KM, Ross CA, Langbehn DR, Aylward EH, Stout JC, Queller S, Carlozzi NE, Duff K, Beglinger LJ, Paulsen JS. Motor abnormalities in premanifest persons with Huntington's disease: the PREDICT-HD study. Mov Disord 2009; 24:1763-72. [PMID: 19562761 DOI: 10.1002/mds.22601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The PREDICT-HD study seeks to identify clinical and biological markers of Huntington's disease in premanifest individuals who have undergone predictive genetic testing. We compared baseline motor data between gene-expansion carriers (cases) and nongene-expansion carriers (controls) using t-tests and Chi-square. Cases were categorized as near, mid, or far from diagnosis using a CAG-based formula. Striatal volumes were calculated using volumetric magnetic resonance imaging measurements. Multiple linear regression associated total motor score, motor domains, and individual motor items with estimated diagnosis and striatal volumes. Elevated total motor scores at baseline were associated with higher genetic probability of disease diagnosis in the near future (partial R(2) 0.14, P < 0.0001) and smaller striatal volumes (partial R(2) 0.15, P < 0.0001). Nearly all motor domain scores showed greater abnormality with increasing proximity to diagnosis, although bradykinesia and chorea were most highly associated with diagnostic immediacy. Among individual motor items, worse scores on finger tapping, tandem gait, Luria, saccade initiation, and chorea show unique association with diagnosis probability. Even in this premanifest population, subtle motor abnormalities were associated with a higher probability of disease diagnosis and smaller striatal volumes. Longitudinal assessment will help inform whether motor items will be useful measures in preventive clinical trials.
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Estimating decreased risks for Huntington disease without a test. Eur J Epidemiol 2008; 23:281-7. [DOI: 10.1007/s10654-008-9224-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2007] [Accepted: 01/08/2008] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Kipps CM, Duggins AJ, Mahant N, Gomes L, Ashburner J, McCusker EA. Progression of structural neuropathology in preclinical Huntington's disease: a tensor based morphometry study. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2005; 76:650-5. [PMID: 15834021 PMCID: PMC1739615 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp.2004.047993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Regional cerebral atrophy occurs in carriers of the Huntington's disease (HD) gene mutation before clinical diagnosis is possible. The current inability to reliably measure progression of pathology in this preclinical phase impedes development of therapies to delay clinical onset. We hypothesised that longitudinal statistical imaging would detect progression of structural pathology in preclinical carriers of the HD gene mutation, in the absence of measurable clinical change. METHODS Thirty subjects (17 preclinical mutation positive, 13 mutation negative) underwent serial clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessments over an interval of 2 years. Statistically significant changes in regional grey and white matter volume on MRI were analysed using tensor based morphometry (TBM). This technique derives a voxel-wise estimation of regional tissue volume change from the deformation field required to warp a subject's early to late T1 images. RESULTS Over 2 years, there was progressive regional grey matter atrophy in mutation-positive relative to negative subjects, without significant clinical progression of disease. Significant grey matter volume loss was limited to bilateral putamen and globus pallidus externa (GPe), left caudate nucleus, and left ventral midbrain in the region of the substantia nigra. CONCLUSIONS While these results are consistent with previous cross sectional pathologic and morphometric studies, significant progression of atrophy in HD before the onset of significant clinical decline is now demonstrable with longitudinal statistical imaging. Such measures could be used to assess the efficacy of potential disease modifying drugs in slowing the progression of pathology before confirmed clinical onset of HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M Kipps
- Department of Neurosurgery, Westmead Hospital, NSW 2145, Australia.
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Abstract
Chorea refers to irregular, flowing, non-stereotyped, random, involuntary movements that often possess a writhing quality referred to as choreoathetosis. When mild, chorea can be difficult to differentiate from restlessness. When chorea is proximal and of large amplitude, it is called ballism. Chorea is usually worsened by anxiety and stress and subsides during sleep. Most patients attempt to disguise chorea by incorporating it into a purposeful activity. Whereas ballism is most often encountered as hemiballism due to contralateral structural lesions of the subthalamic nucleus and/or its afferent or efferent projections, chorea may be the expression of a wide range of disorders, including metabolic, infectious, inflammatory, vascular, and neurodegenerative, as well as drug induced syndromes. In clinical practice, Sydenham's chorea is the most common form of childhood chorea, whereas Huntington's disease and drug induced chorea account for the majority of adult onset cases. The aim of this review is to provide an up to date discussion of this disorder, as well as a practical approach to its management.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Bhidayasiri
- Department of Neurology, UCLA Medical Center, David Geffen UCLA School of Medicine and Parkinson's Disease Research, Education and Clinical Center (PADRECC) of West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Medical Center, USA
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McCusker EA. The specialist neurologist and the "new genetics". Med J Aust 2003; 179:167-9. [PMID: 12885289 DOI: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2003.tb05480.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2002] [Accepted: 04/20/2003] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The "new genetics" will require specialist physicians to deal with an increasing number of genetic issues. Huntington disease (HD) is a rare single gene adult-onset fatal neurodegenerative disorder. It provides a model to illustrate the role of the specialist physician in the new genetics. DNA testing options in HD include diagnostic DNA tests to confirm a provisional diagnosis, and predictive or presymptomatic DNA tests to determine whether disease will develop in an at-risk individual. The specialist physician is well positioned to interact with the genetics services by providing in-depth knowledge of the clinical implications. This will become particularly relevant as the more complex multifactorial disorders (eg, Alzheimer disease) are understood at the DNA level. For optimal use of the new genetics, a team approach is essential to ensure that all areas of expertise are covered.
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Georgiou-Karistianis N, Smith E, Bradshaw JL, Chua P, Lloyd J, Churchyard A, Chiu E. Future directions in research with presymptomatic individuals carrying the gene for Huntington's disease. Brain Res Bull 2003; 59:331-8. [PMID: 12507683 DOI: 10.1016/s0361-9230(02)00877-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Presymptomatic individuals carrying the gene for Huntington's disease (HD) provide researchers with a unique opportunity of learning more about the neuropathophysiology, symptom onset, behavioural functioning, and mediating factors of this fatal disease. In this review, we attempt to demonstrate that research over the last 8 years, since the isolation of the gene, has remained at large controversial. Although we are aware of some of the factors that can influence age at onset and disease progression, we are still unable to determine exactly when an individual will develop HD symptoms, and how fast these symptoms will progress. In an era rapidly advancing with respect to therapeutic intervention that could forestall the onset and progression of HD, systematic research with improved inclusion criteria is paramount. A greater understanding of the time course of the disease would be beneficial not only in monitoring the effectiveness of future treatments, but also in determining the most appropriate time to administer them. Finally, we present various ethical considerations, as well as put forward various recommendations that could assist in better diagnosing preclinical deficits in presymptomatic individuals.
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