Huntington's Disease

What is Huntington's Disease?

A brain disorder that damages nerve cells and

later will deteriorate various parts of the brain.

Incidence

In America - 1/10,000 people have HD =

30,000 for the US population.

At least 150,000 other Americans have a 50%

chance of having HD

Causes

• Genetically Linked

• If you have a family history you have a 50%

chance of having it yourself.

Signs/Symptoms

• Commonly signs appear around the ages of 35-55 but they can appear at

any age.

Early Signs

• Slight uncontrollable movements

• Clumsiness

• Lack of focus, hard time concentrating

• Signs of lack of emotion

• Moodswings

As the disease progresses

• Difficulty in speech, start to slur words

• Weight Loss

• Trouble eating, keeping food in their mouth

• uncontrollable movements such as jerking of the face/mouth

Diagnosis

• Check previous family records

• Check personal medical records

• See if there is any significant changes in

mood or intelligence capacity

• CT/MRI scans

• Genetic test during the 11th month of

pregnancy

Prevention

The only protection comes before birth.

Prospective parents with a family history of

this disease should consult a genetic

counselor before attempting to have a child

Treatment

Incurable but medications can help with

symptoms

• Tetrabenazine - helps control jerky

movements

• Lithium for mood swings

Physical, Speech, and Ocupational therapy

help the patient perform everyday tasks

Outlook

• confused, dazed

• difficulty in

communicating

• mood swings

• difficulty eating, keeping

food in their mouth

• difficulty swallowing,

chokes easily on thin

fluids

Consequences

• intense loss of nerves within the brain

• loss of former self

• Death