Antibiotic Slows Huntington's

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (Ivanhoe Broadcast News) -- Roughly 30,000 Americans suffer from Huntington's disease and another 200,000 are at risk of developing it. Huntington's is a genetic disease that worsens over time, usually resulting in death within 25 years of its onset.

George and Marielle Ziegler cherish every second they spend with their son George IV. But they've got other things to worry about, too. George III has Huntington's disease. "We can't change it, so we're better off just trying to live life the best we can," George III says.

Huntington's is a genetic disease that's characterized by uncontrollable movements that worsen with time. Patients usually die within 25 years of diagnosis.

"What happens in Huntington's disease is a group of cells within the brain are pre-programmed to die, and when they die, the disease starts to manifest," says Heidi Schwarz, M.D., a neurologist at the University of Rochester in New York. "Right now, the only things that we have available through FDA indications are symptomatic treatments." That's why Dr. Schwarz is currently investigating Minocycline has on Huntington's disease.

Minocycline is a common antibiotic that prevents programmed cell death from occurring. If it works in Huntington's patients, it would actually slow the disease. "It probably would allow them to remain functional longer. They might be able to work a few more years." "It may allow them to have more quality time with the people that they love."

The drug did prevent disease progression in a small Austrian study. George has joined the U.S. study, and hopes the two pills he takes every day are slowing his disease.

"When there is no cure, slowing the symptoms is something that is very positive," Marielle Ziegler says. "It does give me some hope for the future," George III says.

If you would like more information, please contact:

Tom Rickey
Science Writer
University of Rochester Medical Center
Box 643
Rochester, NY 14642
(585) 275-7954

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