PARSIPPANY, N.J. and TEL AVIV, Israel, June 5, 2026
Teva Pharmaceuticals has presented new real-world evidence demonstrating that treatment with AUSTEDO® (deutetrabenazine) tablets and AUSTEDO XR® (deutetrabenazine) extended-release tablets can significantly improve quality of life for patients living with Huntington’s disease (HD) chorea while also reducing the burden experienced by caregivers. The findings were presented at the Advanced Therapeutics in Movement & Related Disorders Congress 2026 in Washington, D.C., and represent the first decentralized real-world study designed to evaluate both patient- and caregiver-reported outcomes associated with chorea management. The results highlight the profound physical, emotional, social, and functional challenges caused by Huntington’s disease chorea and provide evidence that effective symptom control may lead to meaningful improvements across multiple aspects of daily life. The study reinforces the importance of patient-centered treatment strategies in neurodegenerative disorders and further supports the role of AUSTEDO and AUSTEDO XR in addressing one of the most disabling manifestations of Huntington’s disease.
Real-World Data Reveal Significant Quality of Life Improvements
The study collected responses from adults living with Huntington’s disease chorea and caregivers through the myHDstory® platform, offering valuable insight into the real-world impact of the condition and treatment outcomes. Before treatment, the majority of patients reported that chorea substantially affected their social interactions, emotional wellbeing, daily activities, and recreational or vocational pursuits. More than two-thirds of patients indicated that involuntary movements negatively influenced their quality of life, while caregivers reported significant effects on their own emotional health, social functioning, and everyday responsibilities. Following treatment with AUSTEDO or AUSTEDO XR, 74% of patients reported improvements in chorea movements, demonstrating meaningful symptom control.
Importantly, improvements extended beyond motor symptoms, with patients reporting enhanced ability to perform everyday activities such as eating, dressing, walking, and engaging in social interactions. Many participants also reported greater confidence, independence, and overall wellbeing as a result of reduced chorea-related impairment. These findings highlight the broader value of effective symptom management in preserving quality of life for individuals living with Huntington’s disease.
Reduced Caregiver Burden Highlights Broader Treatment Impact
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The study also provided important evidence regarding the impact of chorea treatment on caregivers, a population often overlooked in traditional clinical research. Caregivers reported that Huntington’s disease chorea significantly disrupted their emotional wellbeing, social lives, work responsibilities, and daily activities. As patients experienced improvements in movement control following treatment, caregivers reported meaningful reductions in stress, emotional burden, and caregiving challenges. More than three-quarters of caregivers indicated improvements in personal goals related to social engagement and emotional health, reflecting the broader benefits associated with successful chorea management.
Researchers emphasized that Huntington’s disease affects not only patients but entire families, making caregiver outcomes an important measure of treatment effectiveness. The findings suggest that therapies capable of reducing chorea symptoms may help preserve independence for patients while simultaneously improving quality of life for those providing care and support.
Strengthening Evidence for Long-Term Huntington’s Disease Management
Huntington’s disease is a progressive and ultimately fatal neurodegenerative disorder characterized by involuntary movements, cognitive decline, psychiatric symptoms, and loss of functional independence. Chorea remains one of the most visible and disruptive symptoms, affecting approximately 90% of individuals with the condition. The latest real-world evidence strengthens the growing body of clinical and patient-reported data supporting the use of AUSTEDO and AUSTEDO XR, the first FDA-approved vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitors indicated for the treatment of Huntington’s disease chorea.
By demonstrating meaningful benefits in symptom control, daily functioning, emotional wellbeing, and caregiver burden, the study reinforces the importance of comprehensive disease management approaches that address both clinical outcomes and quality-of-life measures. As Teva continues to expand research in neuroscience and movement disorders, these findings underscore the value of real-world evidence in understanding treatment impact and improving care for patients living with complex neurological diseases.
Source: Teva Pharmaceuticals press release
