Nicotine Patches & Huntington’s Disease: Is There Hope?

A short monologue concerning the possible use of nicotine patches for Huntington's Disease.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:16):
It's time to speak up. It's time to speak out.
Welcome to We Have a Voice Community discussions about Huntington's
Disease and Juvenile Huntington's Disease. Show host James Valvano, You
are loved.

Speaker 2 (00:39):
Welcome back everyone to We have a Voice Radio. My
name is Kevin Jess and I'll be your host today.
Today's bold question. Could something as simple as a nicotine
patch offer hope for Huntington's disease. It sounds wild, but
science is exploring it. Let's un pack the research, the

(01:01):
wow moments, and the real implications. Nicotine is typically vilified
for its link to smoking, but on its own it's neuroprotective.
Studies show that nicotine attaches to nicotinic acetycling. Forgive me

(01:22):
for these some of these words, you know they're kind
of big, but anyway, so it attaches to nicotinic acet
tycyline receptors, boosting dopamine, aiding neuronal survival, and ramping up BDNF,
a key protector of brain cells. And that's according to

(01:43):
the University of Otago. In animal models of neurodegeneration, including
Huntington's models, like three nit propyonic acid or three NP.
That's a lot easier nicotine reduced neurologe damage and behavioral issues.
That's our first wow. Nicotine in plain form, not smoke,

(02:09):
may shield brain cells, so enter very nechling champicks. It's
a commonly used drug that is used for to quit
smoking a nicotine, which is it's a nicotine receptor agonist.

(02:31):
In early HD human cases where patients still smoked one
milligram twice daily for four weeks, improved executive functioning, emotional recognition,
and even motor scores. One patient noted improved thinking, clarity
and memory, while motor symptoms dropped. That's our second wow.

(02:56):
Not just slowing decline, but actual short term game but caution.
This was a small sample, only three people a short
duration and two reported irritability mid treatment. Still, it's groundbreaking,
the first glimpses of real human benefit and very Niclean

(03:18):
isn't a patch, but it proves the concept. So as
far as cognitive trials with nicotine patches beyond HD, nicotine
patches are being tested in cognitive impairment. The Mind study
showed that six months of patch use improved memory and

(03:39):
attention in mild cognitive impairment. Though not HD specific. It
shows transdermal nicotine is tolerated and can boost cognition a
safer delivery than smoking. Patches can deliver steady low dose nicotine,
no tar or smoke. That's our third wow, real word,

(04:02):
real world cognitive lifts from patches, hinting at applicability in HD.
So how does it work well? Nicotine activates nicotinic receptors,
enhancing dopamine, glutamate GABBA and BDNF, covering movement, cognition, plasticity,

(04:24):
and inflammation, but veriability variability is key in some animal models.
Nicotine worsened symptoms depends on dose, receptor types and disease specifics.
HD brain chemistry is complex. A patch of steady dose
might help, but a wrong approach could backfire.

Speaker 1 (04:52):
So what next and.

Speaker 2 (04:53):
Why does it matter? Well? Our clinical trials underway. Mind
exists e HD specific patch trials have it yet launched,
but von Nickling work shows potential. Meanwhile, larger initiatives in HD,
like in roll AHD and predict HD help identify candidates
early for such in interventions. The next the key next

(05:18):
step design a true randomized trial of nicotine patches in
gene positive or early HD subjects. So the recap for
those wow moments. The first one is nicotine alone is
neuroprotective in HD animal models. Number two in humans, a

(05:38):
nicotine like drug improved cognition and motor function in early HD.
Number three, patches deliver safe, steady cognitive gains in mild impairment.
No need for harmful smoking. So what's the the risk benefit?

(05:59):
And also voice of caution, This isn't encouragement to smoke.
Is a scientific tool. Patches and receptor agonists bypass smoking hazards,
but side effects matter. Nicotine can raise your heart rate,
cause insomnia, very nicly may provoke mood shifts. Any trial

(06:22):
must include robust safety monitoring. So is there hope Yes,
with caveats, Nicotine patches are not a cure, but they
could be a piece in managing early HD. The next
step rigorous clinical trials. It's a journey from lab to

(06:45):
living rooms, and today that path is beginning. So there
is a call to action to our listeners. Stay curious,
ask your neurologist about trial opportunities. Read the word. We're
rewriting narratives, simple molecules, big hope. So thanks for tuning

(07:09):
into we have a voice radio and and tune in
shortly because there's going to be a long list of
these short monologues that NY sponsor. You don't just cause
you to have some conversations, maybe some questions that you
that you will have for your doctor or for your whomever.

(07:34):
It's all worth talking about, isn't it so? Anyway, In
the meantime, as you know, you are loved,