NUI GALWAY BREAKTHROUGH IN TACKLING HUNTINGTONS DISEASE

Date Published: 22-Feb-2012

NUI Galway scientists have made a breakthrough in their research on the treatment of Huntington's disease.

The inherited condition causes uncontrolled movements and severe mental deterioration.

NUIG researchers have now identified certain enyzmes which act as agents for the mutation of the disease in cells.

The findings show that blocking these enzymes with experimental drugs can reduce mutation.

Huntington's affects more than 100 thousand people worldwide, with up to 500 people diagnosed with the condition in Ireland.