Gut Microbiomes in HD

Criteria the registry did not label

• Inclusion Criteria:
  • 18 years or older
  • Provide informed consent
  • Able to read and speak English
  • Agree to comply with study procedures
• Inclusion criteria for the control group include:
  • CAG repeat length ≤ 26.
  • BMI 18.5-24.9
• Inclusion criteria for experimental group 1 include:
  • 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
• Inclusion criteria for experimental group 2 include:
  • 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
• Exclusion Criteria:
  • CAG repeat length ≥ 60 to exclude participants with juvenile onset HD.
  • CAG repeat length 36 - 39 to exclude participants with reduced penetrance. As this is a pilot study, we are primarily interested in participants with typical HD characteristics.
  • UHDRS Functional Capacity stage ≥ 4 to exclude late-stage HD patients who may be institutionalized and receive nutrition through a feeding tube.
  • Use of any of the following drugs within the last 6 months:
  • System antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, or anti-parasitics (intravenous, intramuscular, or oral)
  • Corticosteroids (intravenous, intramuscular, oral, nasal, or inhaled)
  • Cytokines
  • Methotrexate, immunosuppressive cytotoxic agents, or chemotherapy
  • Commercial probiotics ≥ 100 million CFU (fermented foods, yogurts, and other homeopathic probiotics and prebiotics do not apply)
  • Use of topical antibiotics or topical steroids within the last 7 days
  • History of active, uncontrolled gastrointestinal disorders or diseases, including:
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Ulcerative colitis
  • Crohn's disease
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Infectious gastroenteritis, colitis, or gastritis
  • Clostridium difficile or Helicobacter pylori infection
  • Persistent or chronic constipation or diarrhea
  • Acute illness with or without fever at time of sample collection
  • Positive for HIV, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C
  • Confirmed or suspected immunodeficient condition/state
  • Major surgery of the GI tract, excluding cholecystectomy and appendectomy
  • Unstable dietary history within the past month, such as elimination or significant increase of a major food group in the diet
  • Recent history of chronic, excessive alcohol consumption
  • Travel outside of the United States within the last 3 months