Huntington's Disease PDF

# Huntington's Disease Huntington's disease is an incurable hereditary brain disorder. * Degeneration of brain cells * Affects motor functions * Thinking ability * Behavior ## Effects * 1/10,000 people * Symptoms show in ages 30-40 * Often stay dormant until that age * Effects males and...

# Huntington's Disease Huntington's disease is an incurable hereditary brain disorder. * Degeneration of brain cells * Affects motor functions * Thinking ability * Behavior ## Effects * 1/10,000 people * Symptoms show in ages 30-40 * Often stay dormant until that age * Effects males and females equally ## Cause * Huntington's disease is a cell mutation called Huntington that results in the overproduction of the genetic sequence (CAG) * Overproduction of Huntington protein ## Inheritance * 50/50 chance of inheriting the HD gene * We all receive one chromosome from each parent * Can pass down the gene that has the HD gene ## Prevalence * Venezuela has the highest population of people who have Huntington's disease ## Physical Affects ### Movement * Jerking * Uncontrolled movements * Slow eye movement * Speech and swallowing ### Cognitive * Information processing * Organization * Disorientation * Repetitive thought * Focusing Issues ## Psychiatric * Depression * Aggression * Anxiety * Sadness ## Affects * Often a result of physical and cognitive function * Increased behavior like suicide and alcoholism ## Diagnosis and Treatment * Physical/psychological evaluation to determine if symptoms have started. * Rating scale based on motor, cognitive, and behavioral factors. ## Treatment * Not treatable * Certain medications can be used to lessen symptoms.