Investigating the Role of the Gut Microbiome in Huntington's Disease
The purpose of this study is to find out if there is a connection between the naturally occurring bacteria in our bodies and the progression of Huntington disease. The investigators are trying to determine if patients who are diagnosed with adult-onset HD and who exhibit a rapid rate of disease progression have unique populations of bacteria in their gut as compared to patients with slower progression.
⁃ 18 years or older
• Provide informed consent
• Able to read and speak English
• Agree to comply with study procedures
⁃ CAG repeat length ≤ 26.
• BMI 18.5-24.9
⁃ BMI \< 18.5 (underweight) or significant, involuntary weight loss within the past 12 months.
• CAG repeat length 40 - 59.
• Documentation of the Clinical Diagnosis of HD with a high level of certainty (\>99% confidence) using the validated Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS).
• Stage I-III on the Functional Assessment component of the UHDRS
⁃ BMI \> 25.0 (overweight - obesity) or BMI ≤ 25.0 with significant, unexplained weight gain within the past 12 months
• CAG repeat length 40 - 59.
• Documentation of the Clinical Diagnosis of HD with a high level of certainty (\>99% confidence) using the validated UHDRS.
• Stage I-III on the Functional Assessment component of the UHDRS