Today, there are approximately 41, symptomatic Americans and more than , at-risk of inheriting the disease. Most people with HD experience problems with thinking, behavior, and movements. Symptoms usually worsen over the course of 10 to 25 years and affect the ability to reason, walk, and talk. Early on, a person with HD or their friends and family may notice difficulties with planning, remembering, and staying on task. They may develop mood changes like depression, anxiety, irritability, and anger.
Because of the uncontrolled movements chorea , a person with HD may lose a lot of weight without intending to, and may have trouble walking, balancing, and moving around safely.
They will eventually lose the ability to work, drive, and manage tasks at home, and may qualify for disability benefits. Over time, the individual will develop difficulty with speaking and swallowing, and their movements will become slow and stiff. People with advanced HD need full-time care to help with their day-to-day activities, and they ultimately succumb to pneumonia, heart failure or other complications.
Huntington disease. From Genetics Home Reference. Description Huntington disease is a progressive brain disorder that causes uncontrolled movements, emotional problems, and loss of thinking ability cognition. Frequency Huntington disease affects an estimated 3 to 7 per , people of European ancestry. Learn more about the gene associated with Huntington disease HTT. Inheritance This condition is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern , which means one copy of the altered gene in each cell is sufficient to cause the disorder.
Other Names for This Condition Huntington chorea Huntington chronic progressive hereditary chorea Huntington's chorea Huntington's disease. Research Studies from ClinicalTrials. References Bates GP. History of genetic disease: the molecular genetics of Huntington disease - a history.
Nat Rev Genet. Huntington Disease. Clinical characteristics of childhood-onset juvenile Huntington disease: report of 12 patients and review of the literature.
J Child Neurol. Huntington's disease: from pathology and genetics to potential therapies. Biochem J. Pathogenic mechanisms in Huntington's disease.
The defect that causes Huntington's disease includes 40 or more repeats. Genetic tests for Huntington's disease measure the number of repeats present in an individual's huntingtin protein gene.
Scientists don't yet understand the normal function of huntingtin protein or how a few dozen extra repeats in its genetic blueprint lead to the devastating symptoms of Huntington's disease.
Researchers are eager to solve these mysteries to find the answer to Huntington's. These solutions also may offer important insights into a wide range of other brain disorders, including Alzheimer's , Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ALS.
There is currently no cure for Huntington's disease and no way to slow or stop the brain changes it causes. Treatments focus on managing symptoms. A group of international experts recommended the following treatments as first-line strategies for three of the disease's most troubling symptoms:.
Other Huntington's symptoms, such as anxiety, depression and insomnia, also should be treated according to generally accepted guidelines. Experts encourage people with Huntington's to keep all their medical appointments and not to get discouraged if it takes their health care team some time to find the best drugs and the most effective doses. They also have referrals to genetic testing centers. Call HDSA at It gets gradually worse over time and is usually fatal after a period of up to 20 years.
Symptoms The symptoms usually start at 30 to 50 years of age, but can begin much earlier or later. Symptoms of Huntington's disease can include: difficulty concentrating and memory lapses depression stumbling and clumsiness involuntary jerking or fidgety movements of the limbs and body mood swings and personality changes problems swallowing , speaking and breathing difficulty moving Full-time nursing care is needed in the later stages of the condition.
How it's inherited Huntington's disease is caused by a faulty gene that results in parts of the brain becoming gradually damaged over time. When to get medical advice Speak to your GP for advice if: you're worried you might have symptoms of Huntington's disease — especially if someone in your family has or had it you have a history of the condition in your family and you want to find out if you will get it, too you have a history of the condition in your family and you're planning a pregnancy Your GP may refer you to a specialist for tests to check for Huntington's disease.
Treatment and support There's currently no cure for Huntington's disease or any way to stop it getting worse.
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