Glatiramer acetate (GA) is a synthetic amino acid copolymer that is approved for treatment of relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and clinically isolated syndrome (CIS).

Groups of CAG140 knock-in and N171-82Q transgenic mice were treated with GA (0.625 mg/mouse) for up to 1 year of age (CAG140 knock-in mice) or 20 weeks (N171-82Q mice). Various behavioral assays were measured over the course of drug treatment whereby GA treatment delayed the onset and reduced the severity of HD behavioral symptoms in both mouse models. The beneficial actions of GA were associated with elevated levels of promoter I- and IV-driven brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf) expression and reduced levels of cytokines, in particular, interleukins IL4 and IL12, in the brains of HD mice. In addition, the GA-induced effects on BDNF, IL4 and IL12 levels were detected in plasma from drug-treated mice and rats, suggesting utility as a peripheral biomarker of treatment effectiveness. These preclinical studies support the use of GA as a relevant clinical therapy for HD patients[3].