Understanding Huntington’s Disease: Science, Support and Management | Demystifying Rare Genetic Diseases | Dr. Rakesh Mishra with Dr. Meera Purushottam (Episode: 6)

We are thrilled to bring you a new episode of the podcast series ‘๐——๐—ฒ๐—บ๐˜†๐˜€๐˜๐—ถ๐—ณ๐˜†๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ด ๐—ฅ๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ ๐—š๐—ฒ๐—ป๐—ฒ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ฐ ๐——๐—ถ๐˜€๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐˜€๐—ฒ๐˜€’. This series which aims to raise awareness and curate expert conversations on the most pressing challenges surrounding rare genetic conditions.

Imagine gradually losing control of your movements, speech, and even memoryโ€” Huntingtonโ€™s disease (HD) does exactly that. It’s a rare, inherited neurodegenerative disorder that usually manifests in mid-adulthood, affecting the brainโ€™s ability to function.

In this episode, Dr. Meera Purushottam, a leading expert from National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences is in conversation with Dr. Rakesh Mishra, the director of Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, India exploring various aspects of Huntingtonโ€™s disease from the genetic origins of the disease to the current treatment landscape. Listen in, to learn about the challenges in diagnosis, how the disease impacts mental health and the role of early interventions.

Dr. Purushottam sheds light on the challenges of diagnosing HD in India, its prevalence among the population, and the critical role of early intervention. The conversation also delves into the emotional and psychological impact of HD on patients and their families, and how Patient Advocacy Groups (PAGs) play a vital role in supporting the HD community.

Whether youโ€™re a researcher, a clinician, someone living with Huntingtonโ€™s disease, or simply curious about neurodegenerative disorders, this episode is packed with knowledge, personal insights, and future-forward discussions.

Listen to the full episode here