NMDA-Receptor Blockade in Huntington's Chorea

Huntington's disease is a chronic disorder passed on through genetic autosomal dominant inheritance. The condition usually begins between the ages of 30 and 50 years and it is characterized by involuntary movements in the face and extremities, (chorea), accompanied by changes in behavior and gradual loss of the mental function. The disease typically ends in a state of disorientation, impaired memory, judgement, and intellect (dementia).

The objective of this study is to test the effectiveness of the drug amantadine for the treatment of chorea associated with Huntington's disease. Amantadine is an antiviral drug that has been used to treat a variety of illnesses including Parkinson's disease. Amantadine works by attaching to special sites called NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptors and blocking the normal activity of glutamate there. Glutamate is an amino acid released by brain cells and has been associated with the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.