Songbirds pinpoint effects of Huntington's disease

Action of gene traced in brain area for complex movements

Date: March 7, 2016

Source: Duke University

Scientists have parsed the role of the Huntington's disease gene in an area of the songbird's brain responsible for complex, sequential movements. These findings not only give a clearer view of how the genetic mutation that causes Huntington's disease alters brain and behavior, it may also offer a new therapeutic target for treatment.

Although Huntington's disease is caused by mutations in a single gene, understanding how it ravages the brain and body has been anything but simple.

A new study by Duke University scientists parses the role of the Huntington's disease gene in an area of the brain responsible for complex, sequential movements like those used to talk to a friend, play the violin, or swing a golf club.

Described March 7 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the findings not only give a clearer view of how the genetic mutation that causes Huntington's disease alters brain and behavior, it may also offer a new therapeutic target for treatment.

"These new results make a direct link between the genetic mutation, the insults that mutation causes to brain structure and function, and the behavioral pathology," said Richard Mooney, the George Barth Geller Professor of Neurobiology in the Duke School of Medicine.

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