The international team of scientists from University College London, IRBM Promidis, University of British Columbia, and CHDI Foundation developed a new ultra-sensitive test using the Singulex SMC Technology Erenna Immunoassay system that is able to
detect mutant huntingtin in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of HD patients, including some who carry the HD mutation but have not yet developed symptoms.
Being able to
detect and measure the amount of
mutant huntingtin present in the nervous system will be a valuable way of seeing whether the gene - silencing drug is hitting its target and has the intended effect, lowering the amount of disease causing mHTT protein.