[Huntington's disease: cellular and molecular basis of pathology].

Huntington's disease (HD) is an inherited autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder caused by a polyQ expansion (>36 glutamine repeats) in Huntingtin (Htt) protein. It is believed that dysfunction of corticostriatal system is one of the main pathological events. Special attention is paid to synaptic dysfunction of transmission between cortical and striatal neurons. This review focuses on modern concepts of molecular and cellular mechanisms of HD pathology and especially on alterations in corticostriatal connectivity. Calcium hypothesis of HD and new pharmacological targets are described.