Huntington

Huntington's disease (HD), also known as Huntington's chorea, is a genetic disorder that results in the death of brain cells. The earliest symptoms are often subtle problems with mood or mental abilities. A general lack of coordination and an unsteady gait often follow. As the disease advances, uncoordinated, jerky body movements become more apparent. Physical abilities gradually worsen until coordinated movement becomes difficult and the person is unable to talk. Mental abilities generally decline into dementia.

Causes

Huntington's disease is caused by an inherited defect in a single gene. HD is an autosomal dominant disorder, which means that a person needs only one copy of the defective gene to develop the disorder.

Symptoms

The symptoms of Huntington's disease can include cognitive decline, motor control problems, and various psychiatric symptoms.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of Huntington's disease is based on the symptoms and signs in a person after a thorough examination and medical history. Genetic testing can provide a definitive diagnosis of HD.

Treatment

There is no cure for Huntington's disease, but there are treatments available to help manage symptoms. Medications are used to manage symptoms of movement problems, mental health conditions and other medical problems that may arise.

Prognosis

The progression of Huntington's disease varies from person to person. The disease may progress slowly for some people and more rapidly for others. The average lifespan after onset is around 10 to 20 years.

See also

• Genetic disorders
• Neurodegenerative diseases
• Dementia

External links

• Huntington's Disease Society of America
• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke - Huntington's Disease Information Page

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