MRI markers to detect early Huntington's disease and track treatment effects
Advanced MRI biomarkers in HD mouse models translatable to humans: nature history and response to therapeutics
This research seeks MRI signs of early blood-vessel and blood-flow changes in Huntington's disease so they can be found and followed before symptoms start.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11158949 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's point of view, the team uses advanced MRI methods in mouse models that carry the Huntington's mutation to find early brain blood-flow and vessel changes that happen before brain shrinkage or movement problems. They lower the mutant huntingtin gene in those mice and watch whether the MRI signs return toward normal, to see if the imaging truly tracks treatment effects. The researchers plan to link those mouse MRI findings to what has been seen in people with or at risk for Huntington's, with the goal of translating the markers for use in human scans. If the markers are robust, clinicians could use them in future trials to start treatments earlier and measure whether a therapy is working.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who carry the Huntington's mutation, including those who are pre-symptomatic, would be the main group who could benefit from these biomarkers.
Not a fit: People without the Huntington's mutation or those with unrelated neurological conditions are unlikely to benefit from these specific markers.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could give doctors a sensitive MRI marker to detect Huntington's disease earlier and measure response to disease-lowering treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has reported neurovascular and arteriolar blood-volume changes in premanifest Huntington's and early mouse data show these measures can normalize when mutant huntingtin is lowered, but translating and validating the markers in people remains relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Duan, Wenzhen — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Duan, Wenzhen
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.