Brain development of striatum and cerebellum in children at risk for Huntington’s disease
Growth and development of Striatal-Cerebellum circuitry in subjects at risk for Huntington’s Disease
This project looks at how brain regions affected by Huntington’s disease grow and connect in children who have a parent or grandparent with the condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Iowa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11179138 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If your child has a parent or grandparent with Huntington’s disease, researchers will do genetic testing and follow-up brain scans over time to compare children who carry the expanded HD gene with those who do not. The team uses MRI to measure the size, connections, and function of the striatum and cerebellum as children grow. The goal is to map normal and at-risk development to learn when and whether gene-lowering treatments like antisense oligonucleotides might be safe for younger people. Because these brain regions mature into young adulthood, the study emphasizes careful, long-term tracking rather than immediate treatment.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are children or adolescents who have a parent or grandparent with Huntington’s disease and whose families agree to genetic testing and periodic MRI visits.
Not a fit: People without a family history of Huntington’s disease, adults already showing symptoms, or those unwilling to have genetic testing or MRI scans are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could help identify safe ages and early brain changes that would guide preventive gene-lowering therapies for people at risk of Huntington’s disease.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier work from the Kids‑HD program has shown developmental brain differences in at‑risk children and ASO therapies have shown promise in adults, but preventive use in children remains untested.
Where this research is happening
Iowa City, United States
- University of Iowa — Iowa City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nopoulos, Peggy C — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Nopoulos, Peggy C
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.