Huntington's Disease

Huntington's disease primarily affects neurons in the brain, particularly in the basal ganglia, which is involved in movement control and coordination. The disease is characterized by the progressive degeneration of medium spiny neurons, leading to the hallmark symptoms of motor dysfunction, cognitive decline, and psychiatric issues. The underlying cause is a genetic mutation in the HTT gene, resulting in the production of a toxic form of the huntingtin protein that disrupts neuronal function and survival.

to benefit some patients with HD by controlling the involuntary movements of chorea. It works by lowering the levels of dopamine and other neurotransmitters in the brain.

Cystic Fibrosis 1/3300 children affected

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy 1/3600 boys affected

(Color blindness is not fatal, BTW)

HD interferes with both voluntary and involuntary movement. A person with HD will have trouble speaking without slurring words, walk as if they are intoxicated, fall a lot, spill things, using a computer mouse can be difficult or impossible. Driving a car will become impossible, and choking results from not being able to swallow. HD will also have an effect on personality, best described as irrational angry outbursts, loss of memory, impairment of thought. and judgement.

Unsure of the term :parental test", but there is a genetic test that can identify if a person has the gene that will cause Huntington's.

Yes,many people have died from it, including my 2nd grade teacher's sister.

There are none. HD is a fatal disease that at this time has no cure, limited treatment.

Children with Canavan disease are mentally retarded and most will never be able to sit, stand, walk or talk, although they may learn to laugh and smile and reach for objects.

About 1 in 10,000. However, since it is an inherited disease, there will be areas of the world that have many cases, other areas with none.

The symptoms of huntington's disease are

Development of tics (involuntary movement) in the fingers, feet, face, or trunkIncreased clumsiness

Loss of coordination and balance

Slurred speech

Jaw clenching or teeth grinding

Difficulty swallowing or eating

Continual muscular contractions,Stumbling or falling,Decreased concentration,Forgetfulness and memory decline,Poor judgment,Difficulty making decisions or answering questions,Difficulty driving,Hostility/irritability,Lack of energy,Ongoing disinterest in life (lack of pleasure or joy),Bipolar disorder (manic-depression) in some Huntington's patients.

A person with Huntington's Disease may eventually begin to exhibit psychotic behavior, such as:,Delusions,Hallucinations,Inappropriate behavior (e.g., unprovoked aggression)

HD is inherited from a parent that has HD. It is carried on a dominant gene, which means if one parent has HD, you have a 50-50 chance of inheriting it. It is not contagious- you can't catch it. There is no cure for HD (yet) but researchers ARE testing treatments for the symptoms of HD. If someone in your family has HD, please go to the link at the bottom of this page for more information. You may also contact me through my message board. I am NOT a doctor, but have family members that DO have HD.

On basic terms, nothing in your control can cause HD. You can not develop it because of foods you eat, or things you do. This particular disorder happens to not come into affect until ages 30-40 usually, even though the people that have it were born with it. Genetically speaking, on the short leg of the 4th chromosome, on the HTT gene, there is normally a sequence of repeating bases CAG. So it is normally CAGCAGCAGC... anywhere from 10-35 times, however, if it repeats 36-120 times, HD is developed. The more repeats, the earlier HD will come into your life. Some people with 100 repeats will start showing symptoms for HD at age 20, while others with 36-80 repeats won't start seeing the symptoms until ages 30-40.

If you actuall meant to say Why should... then its for the smae reason everyone else has kids, but if you meant How should... they probable should adopt or, if its a guy, have his wife have an embryo inserted.

Yes- in most cases, symptoms depend on your age. You would have the gene all of your life, but symptoms do not usually become apparent until you are older- 30 to 50 yrs old.

ANYONE can get Huntington's disease.

Typically symptoms become evident in the late 30s.

They are very different diseases. Their points in common are that they are both inherited diseases, and they make a major impact on your life.

dominant

we all no it we all no it

The credit went to Dr. Canavan because his initial description of the disease dominated the medical literature

died

Batten disease, like other childhood forms of NCL, may first be suspected during an eye exam that displays a loss of certain cells.

Absolutely. Huntington's disease does not reveal symptoms until ages 30-40 in most cases, so you could live half your life without knowing you had it, unless your doctor told you.

HD affects the central nervous system- in particular, the brain.

Huntington's disease is not contagious as it is a genetic disorder. It is passed down from parents.