Johns Hopkins Researchers Discover That SIRT1 Gene Can Delay Onset of HD

By working with genetically engineered mice, Johns Hopkins researchers have discovered that the SIRT1 gene, which is linked to slowing the aging process in cells, also appears to dramatically delay the onset of Huntington’s Disease (HD) and slow the neurodegenerative disorder’s progression.

In humans, HD is a rare, fatal disorder caused by a mutation in a single gene and characterized by progressive brain damage. Symptoms typically first appear in midlife and include jerky twitch-like movements, coordination difficulties, psychiatric disorders and dementia. Although the gene responsible for HD was identified in 1993, much remains unknown about the biology of the disease. There is no cure, and there are no effective treatments. For more information, click here to read the full release.