HUNTINGTON'S DISEASE DRUG WORKS

HUNTINGTON'S DISEASE DRUG WORKS

Trehalose Drug Facts

Trehalose is a disaccharide food product that is used as a sugar substitute. It is found naturally in mushrooms and shellfish.

Mechanism of Action This agent is thought to work by stabilizing membrane and protein structure.

Rationale for Use in Huntington’s Researchers have shown that trehalose decreases the ability of proteins with polyglutamine stretches, like the protein that causes Huntington’s, to aggregate. In mouse studies, trehalose decreased brain damage and Huntington’s symptoms (Tanaka et al. 2004). Further supporting evidence using an HD rat model was reported at a major international conference but has not yet been published in a journal (Nguyen et al 2006).

Dosage is 25 grams (6 tsp or 2 tbsp) three times per day. Each dose is about 90 calories. Trehalose is only 50% as sweet as table sugar, and does not increase blood sugar or insulin levels nearly as much as the same dose of regular sugar. It is best used as a sugar substitute. Trehalose has received “GRAS” approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). “GRAS” approval means that this food product is “generally recognized as safe” and can be marketed as a food.

Side Effects include bloating and diarrhea. Decreasing dosage will prevent these discomforts. This is a safe agent even at very high dosage.

Sources Trehalose can be obtained online from Brooklyn Premium Corporation at a cost of $21.99 for 3 pounds, or about $36 per month.

References
Tanaka M, Machida Y, Niu S, Ikeda T, Jana NR, Doi H, Kurosawa M, Nekooki M, Nukina N (2004). rehalose alleviates polyglutamine-mediated pathology in a mouse model of Huntington disease. Nat Med 10(2): 148-54. PubMed abstract

Nguyen H., Bonin M, Kuhn M, Holzmann C, von Horsten S, and Riess O (2005). Gene expression pattern in HD transgenic rats and HD knock-in mice: Specific effects of trehalose treatment. Abstract Viewer/Itinerary Planner, Society of Neuroscience, Washington D.C. 2005.