Minocycline in Patients With Huntington's Disease

Inclusion criteria: * Clinical features of Huntington's disease (HD) and a confirmatory family history of HD and/or a CAG repeat expansion of at least 37 * Stage I, II, or III of illness (TFC greater than or equal to 5) * Ambulatory and not requiring skilled nursing care * Patients must use effective birth control * Concurrent psychotropic medications must be at stable dose for at least 4 weeks prior to study * WBC count at least 3,800/mm3 * Creatinine no greater than 2.0 * Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal Exclusion criteria: * Prior minocycline use within 2 months of baseline visit * History of known sensitivity or intolerability to minocycline or any other tetracycline * History of vestibular disease * Use of any investigational drug within 30 days of baseline visit * Treatment with any drug that may cause lupus-like symptoms (e.g., procainamide or hydralazine) within 4 weeks of baseline visit * Pregnant or nursing * Underlying hematologic, hepatic, or renal disease * Evidence of unstable medical illness * Illness that requires use of coumadin * Unstable psychiatric illness defined as psychosis (hallucinations or delusions), untreated major depression within 90 days of baseline visit, or suicidal ideation * Substance (alcohol or drug) abuse within 1 year of baseline visit * History of systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE) or a history of SLE in a first-degree relative * Positive ANA screening (at or above 1:80)