General Information About Huntington's Disease
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is the gradual death of nerve cells and the shrinking of the brain in the areas (basal ganglia and cortex) that manage motor, cognitive, and emotional functions due to a genetic error.
It is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. If either the mother or the father has this disease, there is an exact 50% chance of passing it to the child. It tends to appear at earlier ages from generation to generation.
It is the most prominent physical finding of the disease. They are short, jerky, and dance-like (choreiform) involuntary muscle contractions that develop outside the patient's control, suddenly appearing in their arms, legs, and face.
Psychiatric and mental symptoms may begin years before the physical movements. Severe depression, irritability, personality changes, and over time, severe memory loss (dementia) resembling Alzheimer's are seen.
Clinical symptoms and family history create a strong suspicion. A definitive, 100% diagnosis is made by measuring the number of 'CAG' repeats in the HTT gene in a DNA test taken from a blood sample.
With current medical knowledge, there is no treatment that can stop the progression of the disease or cure it. The medications used are only prescribed to suppress involuntary movements (chorea) and alleviate psychiatric distress (depression).
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
