Electrophysiological measures as potential biomarkers in Huntington's disease: review and future directions

Abstract

Neuroimaging is fundamental to identifying quantifiable and objective biomarkers in symptomatic and pre-diagnostic Huntington's disease (HD). However, the challenge remains to find reliable biomarkers with high sensitivity and specificity that can be used to track the functional decline over time and test efficacy of therapeutic intervention. While many recent studies have focused on neuroimaging techniques based on brain hemodynamic activity, comparatively fewer have utilized electroencephalography (EEG) and event-related potentials (ERPs). This review aims to summarise and integrate key electroencephalographical findings from the last two decades in symptomatic and pre-diagnostic HD, in context with recent neuroimaging data, and to use this information to identify promising candidate markers for future research and clinical consideration.