HD-SC · Elucidating the Superior Colliculus-related network properties and modulation in Huntington's Disease mouse model to delay the onset and ameliorate severity of the motor symptoms

Elucidating the Superior Colliculus-related network properties and modulation in Huntington's Disease mouse model to delay the onset and ameliorate severity of the motor symptoms

Huntington’s disease (HD) is a rare but devastating neurodegenerative disorder that causes progressive motor, cognitive, and psychiatric symptoms. Across Europe and worldwide, thousands of individuals and their families are affected by the disease, often across multiple generations due to its hereditary nature. Current treatments can only alleviate symptoms; no approved therapy is available to halt or slow the progression of neurodegeneration. Understanding the early mechanisms of the disease at the level of brain circuits is therefore essential for developing effective, innovative therapeutic strategies. The HD-SC project was designed to address a significant gap in our understanding of Huntington’s disease: how the sensorimotor circuits of the brain, particularly the superior colliculus (SC), contribute to early disease symptoms. The SC is a key structure involved in integrating visual information with movement planning, enabling rapid and coordinated behavioural responses. Emerging scientific and policy frameworks increasingly highlight the importance of “circuit-based” approaches for tackling neurological disorders. In this context, investigating functional changes within the SC provides a promising pathway for identifying novel therapeutic targets and early biomarkers of disease. To achieve these goals, the project combines several state-of-the-art neuroscience techniques. These include high-sensitivity calcium activity recordings, fibre photometry, deep-learning-based behavioural analysis, and advanced imaging of neuroinflammatory pathways. By integrating these complementary approaches, the project maps how the SC functions in healthy conditions and how its activity is altered in experimental models of Huntington’s disease. Real-time behavioural monitoring allows the project to link specific circuit dysfunctions to measurable changes in sensory processing and movement control. This integrated perspective is essential for uncovering the earliest biological changes that drive disease progression. The expected impacts of HD-SC extend beyond the immediate scientific findings. By generating detailed knowledge of circuit-level alterations, the project supports the long-term development of precision medicine approaches for neurodegenerative diseases. It contributes to European objectives in health research by improving understanding of disease mechanisms, enabling more targeted interventions, and strengthening the scientific foundation required for future therapeutic innovation. In the broader societal context, the project aims to improve the prospects for earlier diagnosis, more effective treatments, and a better quality of life for people affected by Huntington’s disease. Overall, HD-SC sets the scene for a new line of research focusing on sensorimotor circuits as key players in Huntington’s disease. By linking behavioural changes to specific patterns of neural dysfunction, the project charts a clear pathway toward impactful discoveries that can support future clinical translation and benefit patients, families, and healthcare systems across Europe.

Текст от CORDIS, на английски · Данни: CORDIS, © Европейски съюз