Scientists at Northwestern, and Case Western Reserve universities have developed the first polymer-based therapeutic for the genetic disorder Huntington’s disease, an incurable neurodegenerative disease that causes nerve cells to break down in the brain.

The new treatment leverages peptide-brush polymers, which act as a shield to prevent proteins from binding to one another. In studies in mice the treatment successfully rescued neurons to reverse symptoms. Treated mice also experienced no significant side effects, indicating that the therapy was nontoxic and well tolerated… Continue reading.