George Huntington
George Huntington
George Huntington (pronounced: jorj hun-ting-ton) was an American physician who is best known for his discovery of Huntington's disease, a genetic disorder that causes the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain.
Etymology
The term "Huntington's disease" is derived from the name of its discoverer, George Huntington. The disease was originally known as "Huntington's chorea," from the Greek word "chorea," meaning "dance," due to the involuntary movements associated with the condition.
Biography
George Huntington was born on April 9, 1850, in East Hampton, New York. He came from a long line of medical professionals, with both his father and grandfather being physicians. He studied medicine at Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons and graduated in 1871.
In 1872, Huntington presented a paper to the Meigs and Mason Academy of Medicine in Middleport, Ohio, describing the symptoms and hereditary nature of a neurological disorder he had observed in several families in East Hampton. This disorder would later become known as Huntington's disease.
Huntington's Disease
Huntington's disease is a progressive brain disorder that causes uncontrolled movements, emotional problems, and loss of thinking ability (cognition). It is a genetic disorder, meaning it is inherited from a person's parents. The disease is caused by a mutation in a single gene, which is passed from parent to child.
Related Terms
- Neurology: The branch of medicine dealing with disorders of the nervous system.
- Genetic disorder: A disease caused by abnormalities in an individual's genetic material.
- Mutation: A change in the DNA sequence that makes up a gene.
- Cognition: The mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on George Huntington
- Wikipedia's article - George Huntington
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