Summary
- HDSA Presents: February Research Webinars with Roche and Novartis
- Volumes up on “The HDSA Podcast!”
- HD in the brain: How are different cell types affected by HD?
HDSA Presents: February Research Webinars with Roche and Novartis
This month, HDSA has not one, but TWO research webinars lined up to talk about clinical trial news. At 12PM ET on February 8th, the HDSA team will be joined by Roche/Genentech representatives Lauren Boak, Lifecycle Leader in Neurosciences and Rare Diseases, and Dr. Peter McColgan, Clinical Science Leader, to discuss the GENERATION HD2 study of the huntingtin-lowering drug tominersen. This trial began recently and more study sites are expected to open soon. Click here to register for the webinar.
Later in the month, clinical leaders and Novartis representatives will talk about the VIBRANT-HD trial and the decision to stop development of branaplam in HD, and answer community questions. Speakers for the February 22nd webinar at 12PM ET will include VIBRANT-HD clinical site investigator and chair of the trial Steering Committee Dr. Blair Leavitt, Director of Research and Consultant Neurologist at the UBC Centre for Huntington Disease; Medical lead for the branaplam program, Dr. Harry Ramos, Senior Clinical Development Medical Director at Novartis, and Clinical program head for the branaplam program, Dr. Beth Borowsky, Executive Director and Senior Global Program Clinical Head at Novartis. Click here to register.
Volumes up on “The HDSA Podcast!”
New year, new podcast! Keep up with all things HDSA with the Society’s newest program, “The HDSA Podcast.” Monthly episodes hosted by HDSA President & CEO, Louise Vetter, will give listeners an opportunity to meet members of the HD community and get a behind-the-scenes look at the Huntington’s Disease Society of America. In the inaugural episode, Louise and HDSA’s Chief Mission Officer, Arik Johnson, PsyD, talk about their experiences at HDSA, and Chair of the Board, Teresa Srajer, talks about her connection to HD and work in the community. Visit hdsa.org/podcast to listen.
HD in the brain: How are different cell types affected by HD?
It is well known that HD leads to damage in a region of the brain called the striatum. Researchers at MIT have taken a closer look at how this area is affected over the course of the disease. By studying brain tissue from people with HD and mouse models of the disease, researchers have determined that there are two distinct types of cells in the striatum that are broken down by HD. One cell type contributes to motor control, and the other to mood disorders that are prevalent in early stages of HD. Being able to differentiate between these types of cells may lead researchers to design treatments for HD that target specific cell types in the brain, and could also inform studies on other conditions that affect the striatum, like Parkinson’s disease or autism spectrum disorder. To read more, click here.
