Researchers at the University of Texas at Houston found that the drug valbenazine significantly alleviated chorea, a movement disorder often associated with Huntington’s disease. The research was published in the journal Lancet Neurology.
128 patients were included in the study of the drug valbenazine, which has not yet been approved for sale in the USA. They received either placebo or medication once daily to reduce chorea associated with Huntington’s disease, involuntary, irregular movements.
Compared with placebo, valbenazine showed a statistically significant reduction in chorea symptoms (compared to placebo) and an improvement in the overall severity of chorea in patients with Huntington’s disease. Improvement was noticed in the second week of the study, when participants received the lowest study dose (40 mg). Patients treated with valbenazine reported improvements in hand/arm mobility and function, as well as reduced burden from abnormal movements, compared with patients treated with placebo.
Huntington’s disease is a rare inherited disorder that usually begins in the 30s or 40s and over time damages nerve cells in the brain. There is no cure, but medications, physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy can help manage symptoms.