Computerized social cognition training for adults with Huntington's disease
Official title: Social Cognition Training in Individuals With Huntington's Disease: A Feasibility Study
Run by Rush University Medical Center · NCT06828471 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will test whether a computerized program can help adults with Huntington's disease better understand other people's emotions and social cues.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 20 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Rush University Medical Center Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Chicago, Illinois) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | November 15, 2025 |
| Main results expected | December 15, 2027 |
| Study ends | July 15, 2028 |
| Registry record updated | December 10, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT06828471 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults aged 18–65 with genetically confirmed Huntington's disease who are native English speakers, have at least a 12-year education, MoCA >18, stable psychotropic medications, access to a laptop or mobile device, and willingness to return for an in-person follow-up.
✕Probably not a fit
People with other neurological conditions, known learning or intellectual disabilities, significant cognitive impairment (e.g., MoCA ≤18), non-English literacy, or without device/access likely would not benefit from this intervention.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This pilot feasibility project enrolls adults with genetically confirmed Huntington's disease who meet cognitive and language requirements and have access to a laptop or mobile device. Participants will complete a computerized social cognition training program over several weeks with baseline and follow-up cognitive testing and caregiver-reported measures of social functioning and caregiver burden. The primary aim is to show the training is feasible and tolerable in this population and to collect preliminary evidence of changes in emotion recognition and perspective-taking. The protocol excludes other neurological or intellectual disorders, requires stable psychotropic medications, and includes an in-person follow-up visit 6–12 weeks after enrollment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the training could improve patients' ability to read emotions and social cues and potentially ease caregiver burden.
How similar studies have gone: Computerized social cognition training has shown improvements in people with schizophrenia, but this application to Huntington's disease is novel and largely untested.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria for Individual with Huntington's Disease * Diagnosed with Huntington's Disease based on genetic testing * Must be between 18 and 65 years of age * Native English speaker who is literate in English * Stable psychotropic medication regimen for 4 weeks * Must have a score of "somewhat easily" on all items in the CPQ-12 * MOCA \>18 * Completed 12 years of schooling * Access to laptop or mobile device * Willingness to come in person 6-12 weeks after first visit Inclusion Criteria for Caregiver of Individual with Huntington's Disease * Lives with patient * Must be between 18 and 65 years of age * Native English speaker who is literate in English * MOCA \>26 * Willingness to come in person within 6-12 weeks after first visit Exclusion Criteria for Individual with Huntington's Disease * Any known neurological condition (other than Huntington's Disease). * History of learning and/or intellectual disabilities * Currently actively involved in any other interventional trial (i.e. have begun the intervention) or within 4 weeks of completing the final assessments of an interventional trial. * Currently regularly completing a computerized cognitive training intervention. * Active suicidal ideation with some intent Exclusion Criteria for Caregiver of Individual with Huntington's Disease * Inability to provide informed consent * Active suicidal ideation with some intent
Where it's running
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Rush University Medical Center
Chicago, Illinois, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Tyler Svymbersky
- Email: Tyler_Svymbersky@rush.edu
- Phone: 312-563-0676
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.