Better sleep improves Huntington's sufferers
30 July 2007
 People with Huntington's Disease (HD) could find that better sleep vastly improves their condition after research has revealed that mice carrying the genetic disorder were more alert after developing regular sleep patterns. In a study conducted by the University of Cambridge, mice with HD were given daily doses of either Alprazolam or chloral hydrate, two sedatives which enabled them to surmount the irregular sleeping cycles that characterise the disorder.After the sedatives were used to improve sleep patterns, the mice were shown to have heightened alertness while awake and their ability to learn and process information was better.This study proves that treatments to re-establish regular sleep patterns go some way to remedying the cognitive decline that accompanies HD. Dr. Jenny Morton, lead author of the study, said: "In the future, more attention should be paid to understanding sleep and circadian disturbance in HD. Management of these patterns may not only improve patients ability to think, learn and perform, but would also improve quality of life for both them and their carers."  © Adfero Ltd© 2008 Adfero Ltd. All rights reserved. Any views and opinions expressed in news articles are not those of Craegmoor Limited and its associated companies. News supplied by Adfero DirectNews.
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