Social Cognition Training for Huntington's Disease

Overseen By Tyler Svymbersky

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Rush University Medical Center

Must be taking: Psychotropics

Disqualifiers: Neurological conditions, Learning disabilities, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

20 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?

The trial requires that participants have a stable psychotropic medication regimen for 4 weeks, so you do not need to stop your current medications if they have been stable for that period.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Social Cognition Training for Huntington's Disease?

Research shows that impairments in social cognition are common in Huntington's Disease and significantly predict the decline in functional capacity. This suggests that improving social cognition through targeted training could potentially help maintain or improve daily functioning in individuals with Huntington's Disease. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How does Social Cognition Training differ from other treatments for Huntington's Disease?

Social Cognition Training is unique because it specifically targets social cognition, which includes understanding and processing social interactions, a domain often impaired in Huntington's Disease. Unlike other treatments that may focus on motor or general cognitive symptoms, this training aims to improve social skills and empathy, which are crucial for daily social functioning. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

What is the purpose of this trial?

Individuals with Huntington's Disease have impaired social cognition, which is the domain of cognition that allows individuals to understand others' perspectives so that they can navigate interpersonal actions successfully (e.g., understanding someone may be sad based of their facial emotion or tone of voice and then responding in a sympathetic manner). Impaired social cognition is associated with impaired social functioning, poor psychological wellbeing and increased caregiver burden, which is known to be significant among those who care for individuals with Huntington's Disease. Computerized social cognition training has been shown to improve social cognition in individuals with schizophrenia, who, like individuals with Huntington's disease, have cognitive impairments. The investigators propose a pilot study of computerized social cognition training in individuals with Huntington's disease. This will be a feasibility study that aims to show that social cognition training in HD can be studied in preparation for a larger randomized controlled trial. The investigators hypothesize that social cognition training can improve social cognition, social functioning, and quality of life in individuals with Huntington's Disease and decrease caregiver burden among those who care for individuals with Huntington's Disease.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for individuals with Huntington's Disease who have difficulties understanding and responding to social cues, like facial expressions or tone of voice. The goal is to see if a computer program can help improve these skills.

Inclusion Criteria

Native English speaker who is literate in English

Must have a score of 'somewhat easily' on all items in the CPQ-12

MOCA >18

Exclusion Criteria

History of learning and/or intellectual disabilities

Currently actively involved in any other interventional trial or within 4 weeks of completing the final assessments of an interventional trial

Active suicidal ideation with some intent

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Social Cognition Training

Participants undergo computerized social cognition training to improve social cognition, social functioning, and quality of life

6-12 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after training

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Social Cognition Training

Trial Overview The study tests a computerized Social Cognition Training program designed to enhance the ability of people with Huntington's Disease to understand others' emotions and perspectives, potentially improving their social interactions.

Participant Groups

Group I: Social Cognition Training Group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Rush University Medical Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

448

Recruited

247,000+

References

1. Ireland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dissociating emotional and cognitive empathy in pre-clinical and clinical Huntington's disease. [2018]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Profiling Social Cognition in Premanifest Huntington's Disease. [2022]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impairments of social cognition significantly predict the progression of functional decline in Huntington's disease: A 6-year follow-up study. [2022]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The functional implications of motor, cognitive, psychiatric, and social problem-solving states in Huntington's disease. [2022]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

What does social cognition look like in everyday social functioning in Huntington's disease? A protocol for a scoping review to explore and synthesise knowledge about social cognition alongside day-to-day social functioning of people with Huntington's disease. [2023]