The present disclosure provides methods for treating or preventing Huntington's disease (HD) in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering a therapeutic agent that activates mTORC 1 function and/or increases Ras Homolog Enriched in Striatum (Rhes) level in the subject's brain as compared to the function or level in the subject prior to treatment, and methods for modulating mHTT-associated metabolic phenotypes and/or reversal of striatal atrophy by administering a therapeutic agent that activates mTORCl function and/or increases Ras Homolog Enriched in Striatum (Rhes) level in the subject's brain as compared to the function or level in the subject prior to treatment.