Huntington’s Disease Protein May Have An Accomplice

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We have to look at this as a positive piece. Keep the prayers going so this will be that piece we need for the cure. I have 2 Sons with HD and Grandchildren at risk. I refuse to not believe the cure wont ever come.

Raima Fernald of ME 11:25AM June 18, 2009

I think that Mr.Jang-Ho Cha of Massachusetts General Hospital’s Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease in Charlestown is being cautiously optimistic, and rightfully so. Remember that the marker was discovered 23 or so years ago, the gene 13 years ago, the mouse model in the last 10 or so years, then the huntingtin protein itself in the last 6 or so years. Each piece of this puzzle has brought great excitement but no treatment or cure. So I don't think that Mr. Cha isn't supporting research, or trying to keep himself employed; I think he is simply saying we don't know what this means yet so we need to be careful. Wait and see, pray and continue the work for a cure as one never knows what will be the true solution until it is found and tested.
So be excited for this advancement and discovery but also be realistic that it might only be another piece in the complex puzzle of HD.
Get involved with HDSA (if you are not already) as they are the best support, advocates, place for information and the latest research for families; go to: hdsa.org.
Take care.

Rbytusdy of MA 1:11AM June 09, 2009

I think it is interesting that Mr.Jang-Ho Cha of Massachusetts General Hospital’s Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease in Charlestown, which appears to me to be part of the HD research establishment should be negative. Is he afraid that if a cure is found he will be out of job? We need to be careful that our donation dollars are spent are real research to find a cure and not just research indefinately to keep scientist employed. I think this is a major breakthrough and needs to be acted on. The HD community should be 100% in support!

Alan Pfeffer of NY 9:29PM June 08, 2009

it's a move in the RIGHT direction - a prayer is answered - even if its a small piece of a prayer.

spacejul of CO 4:16PM June 07, 2009

As the mother or a 34 year old HD patient, I am hopeful that new research may at the very least provides an oppurtunity for a treatment. My daughter has been symtamatic for 10 years now,and we have recently had to place her into a nursing facility. Thankfully she is in a center where she has wonderful care and the people are well trained in HD care..One wonders what to hope for with patients like my daughter who have been battling this disease for so many years, that perhaps there could be a slim hope for a better quality of life for her..But if not, we accept it for what it has become and we move foward..But thank God for these wonderful and dedicated researchers whom so dilligently continue thier quest for answers to the mystery that surrounds Huntington's Disease for people like my daughter, it is at the very least something to hope for in the future. Thankfully my daughter never had children and her 32 year old sister tested negative for the HD gene years ago and at least for us, this disease will never again rear it's ugly head. We will always pray for a cure, because noone should have to watch a loved one die like this.

Elizabeth Okeefe of NY 7:47AM June 07, 2009