Rochester, NY – March 10, 2026 – The Huntington Study Group (HSG), in collaboration with Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC), today announced the launch of a new course in its CME4HD (Continuing Medical Education for Huntington Disease) series. The interactive, self-paced, case-based module focuses on the recognition, diagnosis, and triage of neuropsychiatric symptoms and signs in Huntington disease (HD).
The course was developed in partnership with international experts and is designed for healthcare providers across disciplines, including neurology, psychiatry, primary care, nursing, social work, and behavioral health, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of HD care. By equipping clinicians with practical tools to recognize complex cognitive, behavioral, and psychiatric presentations of HD, the course aims to improve patient outcomes and strengthen trial readiness across the HD community.
Daniel Claassen, MD, CEO of HSG and Professor of Neurology at VUMC, emphasized the importance of this initiative: “Many patients with Huntington disease first present with psychiatric or cognitive changes rather than motor symptoms. These can be misdiagnosed or overlooked, particularly outside specialty centers. This new course is designed to give all care providers, not just neurologists, the knowledge to identify, diagnose, and triage these symptoms earlier, ensuring that patients and families receive appropriate, compassionate care.”
In addition to improving patient care, the course highlights the broader benefits of education in HD research and trial participation. By training providers to recognize and address neuropsychiatric aspects of the disease, HSG seeks to enhance data quality, reduce trial dropouts, and expand opportunities for families to participate in clinical research.
The development of this module reflects HSG’s long-standing commitment to collaborative education and leverages cutting-edge digital learning and pedagogical techniques, led by Cara Wilson, PhD (HSG). Course contributors include Ciaran Considine, PhD (VUMC), Julie Stout, PhD (Monash University), Kelly Atkins, PhD (Monash University), and Kendra Anderson, PhD (UT Health), alongside HSG’s Education Advisory Council.
About the Course
The course, titled Neuropsychiatric Signs & Symptoms in Huntington’s Disease: Clinical Recognition, Diagnosis, & Triage, is delivered through an interactive, self-paced online module featuring real-world case studies, expert commentary, and knowledge checks. Designed for providers across specialties, including neurology, psychiatry, primary care, nursing, and behavioral health, the course equips clinicians with practical skills to recognize, diagnose, and manage HD’s complex behavioral symptoms. The course is offered free of charge through HSG’s online education platform, with continuing education credits available for physicians and other healthcare professionals. Access the course here.
About the Huntington Study Group (HSG):
The Huntington Study Group, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1993 in Rochester, NY, and its wholly owned subsidiary, HSG Clinical Research, Inc., are world leaders in designing and conducting clinical trials through the world’s first and largest collaborative network with thousands of members at more than 130 HSG credentialed research sites worldwide. HSG conducted all three pivotal clinical trials that led to the only FDA-approved medications for Huntington’s disease associated chorea. The organization is dedicated to improving the lives of people impacted by Huntington’s disease through research, education, and collaboration. For more information, visit www.huntingtonstudygroup.org.
