Methods for inhibiting the development of huntington's disease

A method of reducing one or more symptoms associated with HD in an individual, wherein the method comprises:

• a. selecting the individual having HD;
• and
• b. administering to the individual an amount of 17β-estradiol or testosterone, wherein the amount of administration to an individual ranges from about 0.2 mg to about 10 mg of 17β-estradiol for a female individual or about 1 mg to about 35 g of testosterone for a male individual;
• wherein one or more symptoms associated with HD in the individual are reduced, as compared to the same in an individual with HD not subjected to step b.

A method of preventing weight loss, or reducing the amount of weight loss in an individual having HD, wherein the method comprises:

• a. selecting the individual having HD;
• and
• b. administering to the individual an amount of 17β-estradiol or testosterone, wherein the amount of administration to the individual ranges from about 0.2 mg to about 10 mg of 17β-estradiol for a female individual or about 1 mg to about 35 g of testosterone for a male individual;
• wherein weight loss is prevented or the amount of weight loss is reduced in the individual with HD, as compared to an individual with HD not subjected to step b.

A method of treating an individual having HD, the method comprising:

• a. assessing the individual for the presence or absence of HD or for the presence or absence of an HD gene having a number of CAG repeats between about 36 and about 120;
• b. assessing one or more levels of 17β-estradiol or testosterone in the individual to determine if the one or more levels is below a normal level;
• and
• c. administering to the individual an amount of 17β-estradiol or testosterone to maintain an average amount of 17β-estradiol or testosterone at a level between about 100 pg/ml to about 185 pg/ml of 17β-estradiol in a female individual, between about 20 pg/ml to about 40 pg/ml of free testosterone in a male individual, or between about 300 ng/dL and about 900 ng/dL of total testosterone in a male individual.

A method of treating an individual having HD, the method comprising:

• a. assessing an individual for the presence or absence of HD or for the presence or absence of an HD gene having a number of CAG repeats between about 36 and about 120 to thereby obtain an individual with HD;
• b. assessing an average level of 17β-estradiol in the individual to determine if the level of 17β-estradiol is below about 100 pg/ml;
• c. administering to the individual having HD and a level of 17β-estradiol below about 100 pg/ml, an amount of 17β-estradiol, wherein the amount of administration to the individual ranges from about 0.2 mg to about 10 mg;
• wherein the individual with HD is treated.

A method of delaying symptoms of Huntington's Disease (HD) in an individual having a number of CAG repeats greater than or equal to about 36;

• the method comprising:
• d. selecting an individual having an HD gene having a number of CAG repeats greater than or equal to about 36;
• e. administering to the individual an amount of 17β-estradiol or testosterone, wherein the amount of administration to the individual ranges from about 0.2 mg to about 10 mg of 17β-estradiol for a female individual or about 1 mg to about 35 g of testosterone for a male individual;
• wherein the individual with HD gene having a number of CAG repeats greater than or equal to about 36 has a delayed onset of symptoms of HD compared to the onset of symptoms of HD in an individual not administered an amount of 17β-estradiol or testosterone, wherein the symptoms of HD comprise weight loss, loss of fine motor function, loss of gross motor function, a loss in cognitive function, chorea, or loss of brain tissue, or a combination thereof.

A method of treating an individual having Huntington's Disease (HD) or an individual having an HD gene having a number of CAG repeats greater than or equal to about 36;

• the method comprising:
• f. selecting an individual having HD or an HD gene having a number of CAG repeats greater than or equal to about 36;
• g. administering to the individual a compound that results in administration of an amount of 17β-estradiol, wherein the amount of administration of the compound to the individual ranges from about 0.2 mg to about 10 mg;
• wherein the individual with HD or HD gene having a number of CAG repeats greater than or equal to about 36 is treated.

A method of treating a male individual having Huntington's Disease (HD) or a male individual having an HD gene having a number of CAG repeats greater than or equal to about 36;

• the method comprising:
• a. selecting a male individual having HD or an HD gene having a number of CAG repeats greater than or equal to about 36;
• and
• b. administering to the male individual an amount of testosterone, wherein the amount of administration to the male individual ranges from about 1 mg to about 35 g,
• wherein the individual with HD or HD gene having a number of CAG repeats greater than or equal to about 36 is treated.

A method of treating a male individual having HD, the method comprising:

• a. assessing a male individual for the presence or absence of HD or for the presence or absence of an HD gene having a number of CAG repeats between about 36 and about 120 to thereby obtain a male individual with HD;
• b. assessing one or more levels of testosterone in the male individual to determine if the level of free testosterone is below about 20 pg/ml, or the level of total testosterone is below about 300 ng/dL;
• and
• c. administering to the male individual having HD and a level of free testosterone below about 20 pg/ml or a level of total testosterone below about 300 ng/dL, an amount of testosterone, wherein the amount of administration to a male individual ranges from about 1 mg to about 35 g;
• wherein the male individual with HD is treated.