Exploring early signs of autonomic dysfunction in Huntington’s disease
Official title: Investigating Autonomic Dysfunction as an Early Pathologic Feature of Huntington’s Disease
Funded at University of Iowa · NIH-11067752 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether problems with the body's automatic functions, like heart rate and breathing, could be an early sign of Huntington's disease in kids who have the gene for it, using special brain scans to help find new ways to treat the condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Iowa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2021 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $176,260 |
| NIH project number | 5K23NS117736-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11067752 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children who carry the gene expansion associated with Huntington’s disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not carry the Huntington’s disease gene expansion may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates whether dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) is an early indicator of Huntington’s disease (HD) in children who carry the gene responsible for the condition. Using advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the study aims to analyze the connections between brain regions that control the ANS and assess unique physiological measures of its function. The goal is to identify early signs of neurodegeneration that could lead to new therapeutic targets for HD. Participants will undergo non-invasive imaging and physiological assessments to gather data on their autonomic function.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier diagnosis and potential therapeutic interventions for children at risk of Huntington’s disease.
How similar studies have gone: While autonomic dysfunction has been observed in adults with Huntington’s disease, this research is pioneering in its focus on children and the early identification of these symptoms.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Iowa
Iowa City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schultz, Jordan — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Schultz, Jordan
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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.