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Huntington DiseaseMAMOC-MHNCT07409597

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

A study testing neuropsychological tests and Eye tracker use in people with Huntington Disease and Autobiographical Memory, run by University Hospital, Angers at 1 site in France.

Not yet recruiting

Opening soon. The study is approved but enrolment has not started yet. Sites may already take enquiries.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial 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… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Huntington Disease, Autobiographical Memory
What is being tested?
neuropsychological tests and Eye tracker use
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
80 participants
Where
1 siteFrance
Study dates
1 Apr 2026to 1 Apr 2029
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • For patients:
  • Adults at inclusion
  • 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
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  • For healthy controls:
  • Pre-inclusion criteria
  • Adults at inclusion
  • 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

Who cannot join

None listed.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Philippe ALLAIN, Professor contact

+332 41 35 62 14

phallain@chu-angers.fr

France1 site
  • CHU Angers

    Angers, 49933

    Philippe ALLAIIN, Professor, +332 41 35 62 14, phallain@chu-angers.fr

Other trials in France

About this study

Official title: Mémoire Autobiographique, pensée Future et Mouvements OCulaires Dans la Maladie de Huntington - MAMOC-MH

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.

Read more

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.

Being tested
neuropsychological tests, Eye tracker use
Medical subject headings
Huntington Disease

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • neuropsychological testsOther

    different neuropsycholocical tests

  • Eye tracker useOther

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

Study groups in NCT07409597
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
healthy patientsActive comparatorNot described
Receives: Other: neuropsychological tests; Other: Eye tracker use
patients with Huntington's diseaseActive comparatorNot described
Receives: Other: neuropsychological tests; Other: Eye tracker use

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. 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).

    Measured: inclusion

  2. 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).

    Measured: inclusion

  3. 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.

    Measured: inclusion

  4. 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.

    Measured: inclusion

  5. 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.

    Measured: inclusion

Secondary outcomes (11)
  1. To study the variation in pupil dilation characteristics during the recall of autobiographical memories.

    Measured in millimeters (between 1.5 to 8 mm) with Pupil Labs Core monocular device

    Measured: inclusion

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

    number of fixation and saccades measured with Pupil Labs Core monocular device

    Measured: inclusion

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

    duration of fixation and saccades measured with Pupil Labs Core monocular device

    Measured: inclusion

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

    assessed using the ZTPI-short (Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory - short version)

    Measured: inclusion

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

    identity fluency task: through spontaneous verbal productions

    Measured: inclusion

  6. Evaluate the functional dimension of autobiographical memory (why we use it)

    It will be assessed using the TALE-15 (Thinking About Life Experiences) questionnaire

    Measured: inclusion

  7. Investigate clinical and cognitive data from routine assessments with UHDRS

    using Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale; This scale is divided into several subscales grouping together different tests assessing: motor difficulties (dysarthria, dystonia, choreic movements, bradykinesia, gait disorders, etc.), cognitive difficulties [flexibility (literal verbal fluency), processing speed (Symbol Digit Modalities Test), inhibition (Stroop task)], level of independence, and functional difficulties. The TFC (Total Functional Capacity) is a specific subscale of the UHDRS that assesses patients' functional independence. It takes into account five areas: occupational capacity, financial management, domestic management, independence in activities of daily living, and degree of care required. The overall score ranges from 0 (complete dependence) to 13 (complete independence). A high score indicates preserved independence, while a low score reflects a significant loss of independence. TFC is a benchmark indicator of disease severity and progression.

    Measured: inclusion

  8. Investigate clinical and cognitive data from routine assessments with MMSE

    overall efficiency measured using Mini Mental Scale examination

    Measured: inclusion

  9. Investigate clinical and cognitive data from routine assessments with categorical fluency

    flexibility measured using categorical fluency

    Measured: inclusion

  10. Investigate clinical and cognitive data from routine assessments with Trail making Test

    flexibility measured using Trail making Test

    Measured: inclusion

  11. Investigate clinical and cognitive data from routine assessments with PBA-s

    Behaviour troubles measured with Problem Behaviours Assesment scale

    Measured: inclusion

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted13 Feb 2026
  2. Study start1 Apr 2026 (estimated)
  3. Primary completion1 Apr 2029 (estimated)
  4. Study completion1 Apr 2029 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Other
Allocation
Non-randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
80 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07409597
Sponsor's protocol ID
49RC25_0372
Other IDs
ANSM
Acronym
MAMOC-MH
Status last verified
Feb 2026
First submitted
3 Feb 2026
Last updated
6 Apr 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Yes: Data will be shared upon reasonable request. Only de-identified data will be shared. Any data collected during the study may be shared. The protocol will be shared initially. Other documents may be shared at a later date upon request (e.g., the CRF to allow a collaborator to select the data they wish to access). The recipients of the data will be researchers. The data will be available for any purpose deemed relevant by the study investigator, based on a protocol provided by the requester, after verification of the obtaining of regulatory approvals, including the favorable opinion of an ethics committee.

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing neuropsychological tests and Eye tracker use in people with Huntington Disease and Autobiographical Memory, run by University Hospital, Angers at 1 site in France.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 14 inclusion and 0 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 6 Apr 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in France. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Philippe ALLAIN, Professor (+332 41 35 62 14, phallain@chu-angers.fr), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Assess the recall of personal memories and mental simulation of future personal events in patients with genetically confirmed HD, through analysis of the specificity (time frame: inclusion). The study lists 5 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 6 Apr 2026.

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