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β-Blocker effects in huntington's disease : A caution on clinical interpretation

Aziz, N. Ahmad ; Claassen, Daniel ; Petersén, Åsa LU and Weydt, Patrick (2026) In Journal of Huntington's disease 15(1). p.179-180
Abstract

A recent retrospective analysis of Enroll HD data suggesting β-blockers slow Huntington's disease progression has triggered patient demand but requires caution. The findings rely solely on small observational subsets and are vulnerable to bias and confounding. A prior Mendelian-randomization study found no causal link between β-blockers and HD onset; instead, genetically higher blood pressure was associated with later onset, raising concern that β-blockers' BP-lowering effects could be harmful. HD patients also have lower hypertension rates, and β-blockers carry risks such as depression and bradycardia. Given their heterogeneous mechanisms, rigorous experimental and clinical trials are needed before any clinical recommendations.

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author
; ; and
author collaboration
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
bioethics, biostatistics, clinical care, clinical trials, ethics
in
Journal of Huntington's disease
volume
15
issue
1
pages
2 pages
publisher
SAGE Publications
external identifiers
  • scopus:105028916301
  • pmid:41395805
ISSN
1879-6397
DOI
10.1177/18796397251401745
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
2f462803-0fcd-42a4-9a64-c56427196a27
date added to LUP
2026-02-19 10:20:41
date last changed
2026-02-19 10:21:29
@article{2f462803-0fcd-42a4-9a64-c56427196a27,
  abstract     = {{<p>A recent retrospective analysis of Enroll HD data suggesting β-blockers slow Huntington's disease progression has triggered patient demand but requires caution. The findings rely solely on small observational subsets and are vulnerable to bias and confounding. A prior Mendelian-randomization study found no causal link between β-blockers and HD onset; instead, genetically higher blood pressure was associated with later onset, raising concern that β-blockers' BP-lowering effects could be harmful. HD patients also have lower hypertension rates, and β-blockers carry risks such as depression and bradycardia. Given their heterogeneous mechanisms, rigorous experimental and clinical trials are needed before any clinical recommendations.</p>}},
  author       = {{Aziz, N. Ahmad and Claassen, Daniel and Petersén, Åsa and Weydt, Patrick}},
  issn         = {{1879-6397}},
  keywords     = {{bioethics; biostatistics; clinical care; clinical trials; ethics}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{1}},
  pages        = {{179--180}},
  publisher    = {{SAGE Publications}},
  series       = {{Journal of Huntington's disease}},
  title        = {{β-Blocker effects in huntington's disease : A caution on clinical interpretation}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/18796397251401745}},
  doi          = {{10.1177/18796397251401745}},
  volume       = {{15}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}