Huntington's disease

Description of Huntington's disease

 
Definition
 
Huntington's disease (HD) is an inherited disease that causes certain nerve cells in the brain to waste away. People are born with the defective gene.
 
Symptoms and Signs
 
Symptoms usually do not appear until middle age. However, early symptoms of HD may include:
a) Uncontrolled movements
b) Clumsiness
c) Balance problems

Late symptoms include:
a) Inability to walk, talk and swallow
b) Stop recognizing family members
 
Causes and Risk Factors
 
Genetic factors (if one of the parents has an HD gene, there are 50% chances of getting it)
 
Investigations 
 
Blood test is conducted to check for the presence of HD gene.
 
Treatment
 
There is no cure. Medicines can help manage some of the symptoms, but cannot slow down or stop the disease.
 
NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Content Details
Last updated on:
01 Nov 2021 | 04:56 PM (IST)
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