Autobiographical Memory, Future Thought, and Eye Movements in Huntington's Disease

NCT07409597 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 2 other identifiers: 49RC25_0372ANSM
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 80
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Huntington's disease (HD) is a hereditary neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressively worsening motor, cognitive, psychiatric, and behavioral deficits. Cognitive deficits occur early on, affecting in particular executive functions (inhibition, flexibility), decision-making, memory, attention (selective, sustained), perceptual and visuospatial skills, and information processing speed. More specifically, memory deficits quickly affect different memory systems (short-term memory, long-term memory, etc.), including autobiographical memory. Autobiographical memory is usually defined as a system that stores all the information (semantic component) and specific memories (episodic component) specific to an individual, accumulated from an early age. Autobiographical memory is now considered essential to the construction of a sense of identity and continuity. It is also considered indispensable for projecting into the future, otherwise known as "episodic future thinking," a fundamental human capacity that is both anticipatory and adaptive. Autobiographical memory deficits remain largely unexplored in HD, with only three studies identified in the international literature on the subject, one of which is actually based on the same neuropsychological data as another, adding a neuroanatomical analysis focused on autobiographical memory. These studies show that the autobiographical recollections of patients with HD are mainly descriptive recollections of personal events lacking in detail, and that the abnormalities appear to be linked to the progressive degeneration of a vast cortico-subcortical brain network comprising the medial temporal cortex, the frontal cortex, and the posterior striatal and parietal regions. Deficits in episodic future thinking have never been explored in HD. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying this type of cognitive impairment (recalling personal memories and mentally simulating future personal events) remains a major challenge today in improving the care of patients with HD. Several recent studies have shown, in different pathological contexts (Alzheimer's disease, etc.), that the parallel use of neuropsychological tests (tasks and questionnaires) and an eye-tracking system allows for a much more accurate and in-depth examination of cognitive functions (for a review, see). In addition, eye movements, such as fixations and saccades, have been associated with the retrieval of autobiographical events . These movements better reflected the person's subjective experience, particularly with regard to the visual elements of mental imagery of recovered events. This suggests that the analysis of eye behavior could enrich the assessment of autobiographical memory, beyond the data provided by traditional tests. The examination of eye movements is therefore, alongside neuropsychological testing, a promising non-invasive method for better understanding the characteristics of autobiographical memory in HD. This project therefore aims to explore the autobiographical memory of HD patients by analyzing their eye activity during tasks involving the recall of personal events using standard neuropsychological tools. By identifying oculomotor markers associated with autobiographical memory disorders, this research could: (1) provide a better understanding of the neurocognitive profile of HD, (2) pave the way for more accurate diagnostic tools, and (3) form an important basis for the development of future interventions aimed at supporting memory function in this population.

Conditions

Huntington Disease; Autobiographical Memory

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (5)

• Assess the recall of personal memories and mental simulation of future personal events in patients with genetically confirmed HD, through analysis of the specificity

  It will be assessed using the TEMPau specificity scale. This scale uses a Likert scale ranging from 0 to 4 points (0: no response or general information; 1: vague event without spatial-temporal context; 2: generic or specific event without spatial-temporal context; 3: specific event in a non-detailed spatial-temporal context; 4: specific event in a detailed spatial-temporal context). This scale allows two main scores to be collected for each period of life explored: 1) an overall autobiographical memory score counting all events, regardless of their nature (max.: 3 x 1 = 3) and 2) a strictly episodic score, counting only memories that meet all the criteria for episodicity, rated 4 (max.: 3 x 4 = 12). The scale also provides: 1) an overall autobiographical memory score for all four life periods explored (max.: 3 x 4 = 12) and an overall strictly episodic score, counting only memories that meet all the criteria for episodicity across all four periods, rated 4 (max.: 12 x 4 = 48).

  inclusion

• Assess the recall of personal memories and mental simulation of future personal events in patients with genetically confirmed HD through analysis of the phenomenology

  self-questionnaire comprising eight items, measured on a Likert scale ranging from 1 to 4 points (1: no, that is completely untrue; 2: no, that is rather untrue; 3: yes, that is rather true; 4: yes, that is completely true). The 8 items are as follows: 1: I felt like I was reliving the original event; 2: I felt like I was travelling back in time to the moment when the event happened; 3: I don't just know that this event happened, I remember actually experiencing it; 4: I believe that the event in my memory actually happened as I remember it; 5: I can see and hear elements of the event in my mind; 6: I can now feel the emotions I felt when the event happened; 7: I can remember where the event took place; I can remember the time when the event occurred. This scale allows a phenomenological score to be obtained for each period of life explored (max.: 3 x 8 x 4 = 96) and an overall phenomenological score for all four periods of life explored (max.: 3 x 8 x 4 x 4 = 380).

  inclusion

• Assess the recall of personal memories and mental simulation of future personal events in patients with genetically confirmed HD through analysis of the self-defined nature

  Each memory is evaluated according to six empirically based dimensions: 1. the specificity of the event (rated from 0 to 4 according to TEMPau criteria, with 0 = extended or semantic memory, 4 = unique event, situated in time and space), 2. identity relevance ('This memory reflects an important part of who I am') 3. the presence of a lasting personal conflict or theme ('This memory is linked to an important theme or conflict in my life') 4. emotional intensity ('This memory expresses a very strong or striking emotion') 5. reflective integration ('This memory has helped me learn a personal lesson') 6. frequency of mental access ('This is a memory I often think back on or talk about regularly') The last five dimensions are assessed by self-questionnaire, on a Likert scale ranging from 1 to 4 (1 = not at all, 4 = completely). This combination gives an overall SDM score ranging from 5 (weakly self-defined memory) to 24.

  inclusion

• Assess the recall of personal memories and mental simulation of future personal events in patients with genetically confirmed HD through analysis of the emotional valence

  It will be assessed using the 'Then' and 'Now' scale, which consists of asking the subject to evaluate (self-questionnaire), for each memory, on a Likert scale ranging from -3 to 3, how they felt at the time the event occurred and how they feel when they recall it.

  inclusion

• Assess the recall of personal memories and mental simulation of future personal events in patients with genetically confirmed HD through analysis of the degree of integration of memories

  It will be assessed qualitatively using the definitions provided by Blagov and Singer (2004): * Integrative memories: There is a shift away from narrative events and descriptions to make an additional statement about the importance or significance of the memory to the individual. A meaningful statement must go beyond simply saying that the memory is 'important', 'the most painful' or 'a memory I will never forget'. There must be an indication of why the memory is important and moving. * Non-integrative memories: These are discussed in the manual and do not meet the requirements of integrative memories.

  inclusion

Secondary Outcomes (11)

• To study the variation in pupil dilation characteristics during the recall of autobiographical memories.

  inclusion

• To study the variation of eye movements during the recall of autobiographical memories (number).

  inclusion

• To study the variation of eye movements during the recall of autobiographical memories (duration).

  inclusion

• Study the links between participants' temporal perspective (past, present, future)and their autobiographical performance

  inclusion

• analyse the current representation of the self (psychological, social, physical)

  inclusion

Study Arms (2)

healthy patients

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Other: neuropsychological tests; Other: Eye tracker use

patients with Huntington's disease

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Other: neuropsychological tests; Other: Eye tracker use

Interventions

neuropsychological tests OTHER

different neuropsycholocical tests

healthy patients; patients with Huntington's disease

Eye tracker use OTHER

Eye movement assessment/recording is performed under two conditions: a "control" condition and an "autobiographical recall" condition.

healthy patients; patients with Huntington's disease

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• For patients:
• Huntington's disease diagnosed and confirmed by genetic analysis
• Patients in the presymptomatic stage of HD with a motor UHDRS score ≤ 5 and patients in symptomatic stages 1-2 of HD with a motor UHDRS score \> 5 and a CFT between 6 \< CFT ≤ 13
• Patients who have given their written informed consent or consent from a third party
• Affiliated with or beneficiary of a social security system
• For healthy controls:
• Individuals with no history of neurological disorders (interview and clinical examination)
• Signature of informed consent to participate in the study
• Affiliated with or beneficiary of a social security system
• Matching in age (± 5 years), sex, and level of education with an HD patient included in the control group
• MMSE ≥ 24/30

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University Hospital, Angers: lead

Study Sites (1)

CHU Angers

Angers, 49933, France

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Huntington Disease

Interventions

Neuropsychological Tests

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Basal Ganglia Diseases; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Dementia; Chorea; Dyskinesias; Movement Disorders; Heredodegenerative Disorders, Nervous System; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Genetic Diseases, Inborn; Congenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities; Cognition Disorders; Neurocognitive Disorders; Mental Disorders

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Psychological Tests; Behavioral Disciplines and Activities

Central Study Contacts

Philippe ALLAIN, Professor

CONTACT

+332 41 35 62 14; phallain@chu-angers.fr

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER GOV
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 3, 2026
• First Posted: February 13, 2026
• Study Start: April 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): April 1, 2029
• Study Completion (Estimated): April 1, 2029
• Last Updated: February 13, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL
• Time Frame: The data will be shared after signing a negotiated data transfer agreement ( data access agreement), for the duration specified in the agreement.
• Access Criteria: The data will be made available via secure transfer (sharing platform approved by the university hospital: BlueFiles or Oodrive).

Locations

FR (1)