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Is This Common Heart Drug a Game-Changer for Huntington’s?

For those who know someone battling Huntington’s disease (HD), the diagnosis is often devastating.

With no cure available, the progressive neurodegenerative disorder chips away at motor function, cognition, and overall quality of life.

But new research offers hope—beta-blockers, a medication commonly used to treat heart and blood pressure issues, might help slow HD’s relentless progression.

While the results are promising, they also raise important questions.

Could beta-blockers truly alter the course of HD? And are they a viable long-term solution, or do they bring additional risks?

Let’s explore the findings and their implications.

In a study published in JAMA Neurology, researchers from the University of Iowa analyzed data from over 21,000 individuals with HD using the Enroll-HD database. This extensive observational study tracked the health, symptoms, and medication use of participants over time.

Researchers divided participants into two groups:

  1. Pre-symptomatic (preHD): Individuals with the genetic mutation for HD but no significant symptoms.
  2. Motor-manifest (mmHD): Patients already diagnosed with HD and experiencing symptoms.

After identifying participants who had been using beta-blockers for at least a year, researchers compared them to matched non-users. Here’s what they found:

  • PreHD Patients: Beta-blocker users had a significantly delayed onset of HD symptoms compared to non-users.
  • mmHD Patients: Beta-blocker users showed a slower progression of motor, cognitive, and functional decline.

These findings suggest that beta-blockers could potentially delay HD onset and slow its progression.

Beta-blockers work by inhibiting norepinephrine, a hormone that drives the body’s “fight or flight” response.

HD patients often exhibit an overactive sympathetic nervous system, which increases norepinephrine levels. Researchers hypothesize that this heightened activity may contribute to neurodegeneration in HD.

By dampening this overactivity, beta-blockers could theoretically reduce stress on the nervous system and slow HD’s impact.

Beta-blockers have been used for decades to treat heart-related conditions like high blood pressure and arrhythmias. Their safety profile and affordability make them an attractive option

However, the study is observational and does not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship.

Here are some key limitations:

  1. Observational Nature: The study cannot definitively prove that beta-blockers cause the observed benefits.
  2. Side Effects: Beta-blockers can cause fatigue, dizziness, and depression—symptoms that might overlap with or exacerbate HD-related issues.
  3. Long-Term Use: The impact of extended beta-blocker use on HD patients remains unclear.

More rigorous clinical trials are needed to confirm beta-blockers’ potential as a treatment for Huntington’s disease.

Moreover, while beta-blockers may offer benefits, they are not without their drawbacks. The side effects can range from mild to severe, and for patients already dealing with the physical and emotional toll of Huntington’s, these effects could pose additional challenges.

Beta-blockers work by slowing the heart rate and reducing blood pressure, but these mechanisms can lead to unintended consequences, including:

  • Fatigue and Dizziness: Slower heart rates can cause symptoms resembling low blood pressure.
  • Poor Circulation: Patients may experience cold or tingling sensations in their extremities.
  • Gastrointestinal Issues: Nausea, upset stomach, and constipation or diarrhea are common.
  • Sexual Dysfunction: Erectile dysfunction is a noted side effect.
  • Weight Gain: Older beta-blockers, in particular, can lead to unexpected weight changes.
  • Breathing Difficulties: Especially in individuals with lung conditions like asthma.
  • Depression and Sleep Disturbances: Insomnia, nightmares, and mood changes are more common with older, nonselective beta-blockers.

It’s also worth remembering that no drug can replace the importance of a well-rounded care plan. Physical therapy, emotional support, and lifestyle modifications all play critical roles in managing Huntington’s disease.

Currently, there are no disease-modifying treatments for HD—only medications to manage symptoms. If beta-blockers can genuinely slow the disease’s progression, they could offer a relatively affordable and accessible option for patients.

“Beta-blockers are widely available and have a known safety profile,” notes lead researcher Jordan Schultz, PharmD. “This provides hope for modifying the course of Huntington’s disease, especially in the absence of existing disease-modifying agents.”

The research team plans to conduct clinical trials to explore beta-blockers as a potential HD treatment.

In the meantime, the findings highlight the importance of the autonomic nervous system as a therapeutic target for neurodegenerative diseases.

For patients and caregivers, this research underscores the need to explore all available options while remaining informed about potential risks.

If you or a loved one is affected by HD, consult your healthcare provider about treatment options, including the possibility of beta-blockers. Together, you can weigh the potential benefits and risks to make the best decision for your individual circumstances.

To staying informed and empowered.

Rachel Mace
Managing Editorial Director, e-Alert
with contributions from the research team

Sources:

University of Iowa. (2024, December 2). Common heart drug may slow progression of Huntington’s disease. Medicalxpress.com; Medical Xpress. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-12-common-heart-drug-huntington-disease.html

Beta-Blockers: Side Effects, Drug Interactions, Safety. (2020, February 12). Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/beta-blockers-side-effects#drug-interactions

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