LONDON

Scientists have successfully treated inherited neurodegenerative disease Huntington's for the first time, as it was slowed by 75% in patients, findings revealed on Wednesday.

Huntington's disease, known as one of the most devastating diseases, has been successfully treated for the first time, University College London (UCL) said in a statement.

Sarah Tabrizi, director of the UCL Huntington's Disease Centre, described the results as "spectacular," as data shows the disease was slowed by 75% in patients.

The new treatment is a type of gene therapy given during 12 to 18 hours of delicate brain surgery. For Tabrizi, the results mean giving patients decades of "good quality life."

She said they "never in our wildest dreams" would have expected a 75% slowing of clinical progression.

For his part, Ed Wild, principal investigator of the UCL Huntington’s Disease Centre trial site, said this result "changes everything."

"Trial results come through in numbers and graphs, but behind each datapoint is an incredible patient who volunteered to undergo major neurosurgery to be treated with the first gene therapy we’ve ever tested in Huntington’s disease," he noted.

Wild added: "That is an extraordinary act of bravery for the benefit of humanity."

The disease, which causes nerve cells in the brain to decay over time, affects a person's movements, thinking ability, and mental health.

Although it is rare, the disease is often passed down through a changed gene from a parent.

Its symptoms can develop at any time, but they often begin when people are in their 30s or 40s.