Effect of PBT2 in Patients With Early to Mid Stage Huntington Disease
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2014-02-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Huntington disease (HD) is an inherited neurodegenerative disease which affects over 30,000
people in both the United States and Australia. HD is characterized by brain cell death that
usually begins between the ages of 30 to 50, and results in motor, cognitive and behavioral
signs and symptoms. While there are medications to help relieve some of the disease symptoms,
there is no known treatment to address the cognitive impairment associated with HD.
Normally occurring metals in the brain play a significant role in diseases such as Alzheimer
disease and HD. PBT2 is a drug designed to interrupt interactions between these biological
metals and target proteins in the brain, to prevent deterioration of brain cells. PBT2, has
shown in animal models, and as well as in a small group of patients with Alzheimer's disease,
it may improve cognition. There is some indication in animal models of HD, that the drug may
improve motor function and control and reduce the amount of brain cell degeneration.
PBT2-203 will evaluate how safe and well tolerated PBT2 is at a dose of 100 mg or 250 mg a
day administered as oral daily capsules compared to a placebo over a six month treatment
period. The trial will also measure whether there is an effect on cognitive abilities as well
as other HD symptoms including motor and overall functioning of individuals with HD.