About the Huntington’s Disease Foundation
The mission of the Huntington’s Disease Foundation is to fund transformative research to find treatments, and ultimately a cure, for Huntington’s disease and related disorders.
The Huntington’s Disease Foundation (HDF) began in 1968 after the wife of Dr. Milton Wexler was diagnosed with Huntington’s disease (HD). Determined to fight the illness that now threatened his two daughters, Wexler joined the Committee to Combat Huntington’s Disease (CCHD), established by Marjorie Guthrie following the death of her husband, poet and songwriter Woody Guthrie. Six years later, recognizing the need for basic research on HD, Wexler separated from CCHD to form what is today the Huntington’s Disease Foundation.
Milton’s younger daughter, Nancy Wexler, joined this effort.
Every year from 1981 until 2002, under the aegis of the HDF, Nancy led a team of researchers to Venezuela to gather clinical data and biological samples while offering some medical assistance to the world’s largest known family affected by HD. In 1983, this work led to the identification of a genetic marker for HD, a landmark moment in the field of genetics. The HDF subsequently formed an historic collaborative group known as the Gene Hunters who, in 1993, isolated the expanded HD gene itself. This discovery laid the foundation for all subsequent research on HD.
WHAT is Huntington’s disease
Huntington’s disease is a fatal, inherited brain disorder that causes psychiatric changes, cognitive problems, and uncontrollable movements that progress over 10-20 years. HD usually presents between age 30-50, but it can strike as early as 2 or as old as 80. Each child of an affected parent has a 50% risk of inheriting the gene which causes the disease.
Currently there is no cure.
Watch HDF’s Director of Research webinar Huntington’s Disease Research: History and Hope.
WHY HDF is unique
- We were the catalyst for research that isolated the gene that causes Huntington’s disease, leading to the development of a genetic test for HD and launching modern research efforts.
- We advance paradigm-changing Huntington’s research that directly impacts other neurodegenerative diseases like ALS, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
- We champion collaborative science through small think tank workshops, international conferences and webinars.
- We engage and retain the brightest minds in research by funding and mentoring early-career scientists.
- HDF-funded researchers have made significant strides in applying advanced techniques such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), CRISPR and brain mapping, leading to tremendous promise for potential treatments.
HOW we are working toward a cure
The Huntington’s Disease Foundation supports a collaborative approach to scientific discovery.
We invest in research by providing senior scientists with grants, including our million-dollar Transformative Research Awards, and funding the work of early career scientists through postdoctoral fellowships. We organize scientific conferences enabling experts in HD to share their latest discoveries, explore cutting-edge technologies, and form collaborations. We highlight for the public notable work of scientists through our research webinars.
WHO is part of it
By partnering with scientists, Partners in Research, donors, corporate sponsors, and HD families, we make a significant impact on advancing research in Huntington’s disease. Together we make a difference.
Read more about HDF’s commitment to research.