Ceylon Tea in reducing irritability and aggressive behaviour in Huntington’s disease (HD): A Sri Lankan perspective

Abstract

Attached

Background: Although depression being the most common behavioral manifestation in HD, aggression and irritability are also commonly reported. A positive effect of natural products has been reported for aggression and irritability. However, the effect of pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions in treating aggression and irritability in HD remains inconclusive. Aim: 1 To assess the effect of Ceylon tea on the behavioral manifestations in HD. Method: Sociodemographic, dietary and clinical data of 23 genetically confirmed HD patients were recorded. Behavioral Assessment was performed by Unified Huntington’s Disease Rating Scale- Behavioral Assessment (UHDRS-b). Subscales of UHDRS-b; depression, irritability/aggression, obsessive/compulsive behaviours, apathy and psychosis were computed. Results: HD patients:[Adult onset n=22 (96%), Juvenile onset n=l (4%), Male n= 10 (44%), Female n=13 (56%)], age of onset: 16-64yrs (mean= 43.6±13). Tea consumption and UHDRS-b; Low- Black tea consumption- LTC(<2 cups/day) n= 12, range 19-69 (median= 40.5); High- Black tea consumptionHTC (>3 cups/day) n= 11,range 18-61 (Median= 27).Values for each subscales of UHDRS-b with LTC/HTC value range, median respectively; depression- [LTC 3-48,17;HTC 1-52,13]; irritability/aggression- [LTC 9-23,13; HTC 0-16,6]; obsessive/compulsive- [LTC 0-15,l;HTC 0-22,2]; apathy- [LTC 3-12,6:HTC 0-6,4]; psychosis- [LTC 0-12,1 :HTC 0-3,0] A significant difference obtained between LTC and HTC for the irritability/aggression subscale P-0.0056*. Conclusion: This pilot data suggests that, regular consumption of black tea is associated with a reduced irritability/aggression in HD. However further studies with larger sample size are warrant.