Safety and tolerability of human neural stem cell implants for Huntington's disease

Phase 1B/2A Study of the Safety and Tolerability of Human Neural Stem Cells for Huntington's Disease

Phase1; Phase2 Interventional University of California, Irvine · NCT07451613

This research will test whether an implant of hNSC-01 human neural stem cells is safe and tolerable for adults with Huntington's disease.

Quick facts

PhasePhase1; Phase2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment21 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 65 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of California, Irvine Academic / other
Locations1 site (Irvine, California)
Trial IDNCT07451613 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This Phase 1/2, first-in-human interventional program implants hNSC-01 neural stem cells into the brains of eligible adults with genetically confirmed Huntington's disease to monitor safety and tolerability. Participants undergo neurosurgical implantation at a single center and are followed with MRI, clinical exams, blood tests and lumbar punctures to detect adverse events and biological signals. The study excludes people who are pregnant, have active HIV or hepatitis, or have implanted deep brain stimulation devices. Primary outcomes focus on safety, tolerability, and procedural feasibility with planned clinical and imaging follow-up.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 18 to 65 with a genetically confirmed diagnosis of Huntington's disease who can give informed consent and tolerate MRI, neurosurgery, blood draws, and lumbar puncture are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People who are outside the 18–65 age range, pregnant, test positive for HIV or chronic hepatitis, have an implanted deep brain stimulation device, or cannot undergo neurosurgery or required imaging/procedures are unlikely to be eligible or benefit.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could offer a new cell-based therapy that may slow or improve neurological decline in people with Huntington's disease.

How similar studies have performed: Preclinical studies and limited cell-therapy work in other neurodegenerative diseases show promise, but this is the first human trial of hNSC-01 so direct clinical evidence is lacking.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Please note this may not be a complete list of eligibility criteria.

Inclusion Criteria:

* Have decision-making capacity and be able to provide written informed consent.
* Are between 18 to 65 years of age
* Have genetically confirmed diagnosis of Huntington's Disease
* Able to undergo MRI scans, tolerate neurosurgical procedure, blood draws and lumbar puncture.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Are pregnant
* Test positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C or chronic hepatitis B at Screening
* Have an implanted deep brain stimulation device.

Where this trial is running

Irvine, California

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Huntington DiseaseHuntington's diseasestem cellREGEN4HD
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.