Longitudinal SV2A PET and MRI in Premanifest HD

Longitudinal Imaging of Striatal Synaptic Density and Volume in People With Premanifest Huntington's Disease.

AIM: to compare the sensitivity of SV2A PET and volumetric MRI to detect longitudinal striatal changes in premanifest HD.

DESIGN: The investigators will include late premanifest HD mutations carriers and matched healthy controls. All subjects will undergo a clinical examination, with comprehensive assessment of motor and non-motor symptoms, and imaging evaluation consisting of 18F-SynVesT-1 PET and volumetric MRI at baseline and after 2 years.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 20-75 years inclusive.

• Capacity to understand the informed consent form.

• HD mutation carriers:

  • HTT (CAG)n ≥ 40
  • HD-ISS < 2
  • CAP100 score > 70

Exclusion Criteria:

• neuropsychiatric diseases (other than HD for HD mutation carriers)
• major internal medical diseases
• white matter lesion load on FLAIR Fazekas score 2 or higher or other relevant MRI abnormalities
• history of alcohol abuse or current alcohol abuse (chronic use of more than 15 units per week) or drug abuse
• contraindications for MR
• pregnancy
• previous participation in other research studies involving ionizing radiation with more than 1 mSv in the previous 12 months.