Huntington's chorea
Huntington's chorea (pronunciation: hun-ting-tonz koh-ree-uh) is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects muscle coordination and leads to cognitive decline and psychiatric problems. It is also known as Huntington's disease.
Etymology
The term "chorea" comes from the Greek word "χορεία" (khoros), meaning "dance", as the quick, uncontrolled movements of the condition can appear dance-like. The disease is named after George Huntington, the American physician who first described it in 1872.
Symptoms
Huntington's chorea is characterized by uncontrolled movements, cognitive impairments, and emotional disturbances. The most common physical symptoms include chorea, or involuntary jerking movements, muscle problems such as rigidity or muscle contracture (dystonia), slow or abnormal eye movements, impaired gait, posture, and balance, difficulty with speech or swallowing (dysphagia).
Causes
Huntington's chorea is caused by an inherited defect in a single gene. It is an autosomal dominant disorder, which means that a person needs only one copy of the defective gene to develop the disorder.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of Huntington's chorea is based on a clinical examination and family history. Genetic testing can confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment
There is currently no cure for Huntington's chorea. Treatment is focused on managing symptoms and improving quality of life. Medications can help manage the movement problems and psychiatric symptoms.
Prognosis
The progression of Huntington's chorea varies from person to person. However, the disease eventually leads to disability and death, typically due to complications such as pneumonia, heart disease, or physical injury from falls.
See also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Huntington's chorea
- Wikipedia's article - Huntington's chorea
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