Social Cognition Training in Individuals With Huntington's Disease

Social Cognition Training in Individuals With Huntington's Disease: A Feasibility Study

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.

Inclusion Criteria for Individual with Huntington's Disease

• Diagnosed with Huntington's Disease based on genetic testing
• Must be between 18 and 65 years of age
• Native English speaker who is literate in English
• Stable psychotropic medication regimen for 4 weeks
• Must have a score of "somewhat easily" on all items in the CPQ-12
• MOCA >18
• Completed 12 years of schooling
• Access to laptop or mobile device
• Willingness to come in person 6-12 weeks after first visit

Inclusion Criteria for Caregiver of Individual with Huntington's Disease

• Lives with patient
• Must be between 18 and 65 years of age
• Native English speaker who is literate in English
• MOCA >26
• Willingness to come in person within 6-12 weeks after first visit

Exclusion Criteria for Individual with Huntington's Disease

• Any known neurological condition (other than Huntington's Disease).
• History of learning and/or intellectual disabilities
• Currently actively involved in any other interventional trial (i.e. have begun the intervention) or within 4 weeks of completing the final assessments of an interventional trial.
• Currently regularly completing a computerized cognitive training intervention.
• Active suicidal ideation with some intent

Exclusion Criteria for Caregiver of Individual with Huntington's Disease

• Inability to provide informed consent
• Active suicidal ideation with some intent