Pridopidine in the pharmacological treatment of Huntington's disease. (July 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Michl, Martin; Schnopfhagen, Katharina; Bonelli, Raphael M
• Is Part Of: Clinical investigation. Volume 3:Number 7(2013)
• Page Start: 691
• Page End: 699
• Publication Date: 2013-07
• Subjects: ACR16 -- dopamine D2 receptor -- dopaminergic stabilizer -- Huntington's disease -- pridopidine; Drugs -- Testing -- Periodicals; Drug development -- Periodicals; Clinical trials -- Periodicals; 615.580724
• DOI: 10.4155/cli.13.54
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2041-6806

Abstract

The available treatment options for Huntington's disease (HD) are only symptomatic, partly with a limited symptom control and often accompanied by serious side effects. This review summarizes the current management of HD and elucidates why pridopidine might represent a turning point in the treatment of the condition. Pharmacology, clinical evidence, safety and tolerability of the drug will also be addressed. As pridopidine is a member of a new class of compounds, it opens up the field for new treatment strategies that might be more efficient in controlling motor symptoms, with fewer side effects than the treatment options currently available. In a Phase II and III study, pridopidine significantly improved motor functions in Huntington patients with an adverse-event profile comparable to that of a placebo.