HD Blog

But it is going to be humanity that is going to benefit from Huntington's research...and almost nobody knows it. It was Huntington's research that identified the 'huntingtin' protein.

In order to create a cure, researchers had to understand just what the 'good' huntingtin protein did and what the 'mutated' protein did. The results are surprising. The huntingtin protein is at the heart of cell life and death - the signaling which helps determine when a cell lives or dies. This not only has implications to the 'prion' diseases such as ALS or Mad Cow disease, but in 'mainstream' diseases such as cancer and heart disease.

The knowledge that researchers gleam from the research of the huntingtin protein may one day lead to the ability to slow or stop the aging process. What an impact that will have on humanity! (I'll leave the rest of you to argue whether that is good or bad!)

I know, I know...that sounds like science fiction. But think about it, researchers for this little known disease are uncovering the secrets to why cells die and why the DNA/RNA replication process goes haywire (and how to prevent it). The methods that are developed involving RNAi (siRNA) will be altered in attempt to control other diseases, even stop viruses such as the cold and flu.

As I sit here, I see some wonderful things happening. Huntington's WILL be cured in my lifetime. I really believe that.

No! I know that! I believe we are seeing the last of people who will die from this disease, just as we saw polio end it's toll a generation ago.

I believe we'll see an effective cure, available to the public, within nine years. Already we are seeing the emergence of treatments that will slow the progression of the disease. Your children, and other who are not symptomatic, may never experience the ravages of Huntington's Disease. At this rate, even some who may be symptomatic today might be saved.

This is the end of a sad era and we are going to see it happen!

I know, I know... Some of you reading this have been told a thousand times... "a cure is around the corner" and the continued disappointment now makes it hard to be optimistic. I understand, but let me tell you this... our children and grandchildren are not going to have to experience the heartache that our parents and grandparents endured (or even us).

I'm looking forward to the next 500 posts on this website and I'm looking forward to what is on the horizon. I'll do my best to let you know what is happening. But most of all, don't forget...

Now there is hope!