Huntington disease drug to be tested at IU

By Mary Hardin

The clinical trial will attempt to determine if the drug, tetrabenazine, is beneficial for improving chorea and other excessive, involuntary movements in people with Huntington disease. Chorea is involuntary, uncontrolled movements that disrupt normal movement or posture.

Tetrabenazine currently is not available by prescription in the United States, but is approved for use of Huntington disease and other movement disorders in Europe and other countries.

To enroll in the study, individuals must be at least 18 years of age, have been diagnose with Huntington disease and have chorea symptoms. Individuals must be ambulatory and have a caregiver who can accompany them on multiple visits to the IU Medical Center during a 13-week period.

Individuals who complete the trial may be entitled to enroll in an open label study, where the medication will be dispensed free of charge for at least six additional months.

For additional information or to enroll in the study, contact Jo Belden at
317-278-0868.

The study, called Tetra-HD, is conducted by the Huntington Study Group, a non-profit, cooperative group of Huntington disease experts. Huntington is an inherited neurodegenerative disease that affects nearly 30,000 Americans and an additional 150,000 are potentially at risk for developing it.