Â
If you suspect you may be suffering from Huntington’s disease, you can take a genetic test to find out whether you are at risk for the condition. During the test, a genetic counselor will explain the risks and possible treatments for Huntington’s disease. Genetic counseling will also explain the consequences of learning that you may be at risk.
Signs
Huntington’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that involves changes in movement, thinking, and emotion. Symptoms include slow movements, clumsiness, frequent falling, and slurred speech. School performance often declines and seizures are common. The disease progresses quickly, and most people with Huntington’s disease live for about 10 to 15 years after the first signs and symptoms of the disease appear.
Huntington’s disease is an inherited condition caused by a faulty gene. While the majority of people who develop the disease are over 60 years of age, up to 10% develop symptoms before they reach adulthood. Symptoms of juvenile Huntington’s disease vary from those of adults with the disease, but may include leg stiffness, tremors, and a regression in learning ability.
Early symptoms of Huntington’s disease include difficulty concentrating, difficulty thinking, and mood changes. People with the disease may also experience strained relationships with other people. Early symptoms may not be recognized as Huntington’s, but may be mistaken for other symptoms. Later, stiffness, clumsiness, and loss of name may occur.
If you suspect you may have Huntington’s disease, you should visit a neurologist for a proper diagnosis. Your neurologist will ask you questions about the severity of your symptoms and will perform motor and sensory tests to determine whether you have the disease. They may also perform brain-imaging tests to look for changes in the brain’s structure.
Psychotherapy can help patients work through their emotional issues and develop coping mechanisms. There is no cure for Huntington’s disease and the rate of progression varies for different people. Genetics and the number of repeats in each person’s genes determine the rate of progression. The lower the number, the slower the disease progresses. With treatment, a person with Huntington’s disease can live for about 15 to 20 years after symptoms start.
Huntington’s disease is a progressive disorder of the brain caused by a genetic mutation. It results in the buildup of toxic proteins in the brain, which damage nerve cells and cause symptoms. It is a serious condition that can affect the person’s emotions and movement.
Symptoms
Huntington’s disease causes a decline in a person’s intellectual abilities, slow movement, and difficulty with speech. It can also lead to emotional and psychiatric problems. Treatment is usually based on the symptoms, which can include multiple medications. Other symptoms of the disease include difficulty with concentration and memory, depression, lack of interest in activities, and mood swings.
Patients with Huntington’s disease may experience psychosis. This can occur before or after motor symptoms. Psychotic symptoms, including delusions and auditory hallucinations, are similar to those of schizophrenia. The condition also impairs a person’s executive functions, making it difficult to tell what is important and what isn’t.
Many people who have Huntington’s disease suffer from depression and suicide. This disease can lead to depressive episodes, low self-esteem, and weight loss. Fortunately, early symptoms are often not life-threatening, and there are effective treatments available. People with Huntington’s disease should be evaluated by a physician if they feel depressed or suicidal.
While the cause of the disease remains a mystery, researchers are trying to find a way to treat it. Although the symptoms of Huntington’s disease cannot be cured, medications can improve the quality of life of those suffering from the disorder. Currently, there are two medications approved by the FDA that treat symptoms related to Huntington’s disease. One is tetrabenazine, which treats jerky movements. The other is deutetrabenazine, which is a more effective medication for patients with symptoms of dystonia and stiffness.
Psychotherapy can help patients deal with the mental and emotional issues associated with the disease. It may also help them develop coping strategies. As Huntington’s disease progresses, the prognosis is poor. People with the disease can expect to live for 15 to 20 years after symptoms begin.
Huntington’s disease is rare and affects approximately 80,000 people worldwide. It affects both men and women and all races. Most people develop the disease in their thirties or forties, but it can also develop in children as young as two.
Treatments
Huntington’s disease is a genetic condition that can affect both men and women. It usually starts in midlife and is inherited from a parent. If either parent has the condition, there’s a 50 percent chance that their children will also develop it. Thankfully, presymptomatic testing is available to identify if you may have the disease.
Treatments are designed to manage the disease’s symptoms. Most commonly, medications that block the dopamine neurotransmitter are used. These medications help decrease the symptoms associated with the disease, such as the jerky movements. Some of these medications are risperidone, olanzapine, and haloperidol.
Researchers have identified a gene that may delay the onset of HD by 9 years. This gene is associated with a protein called Alfy. The researchers have developed a mouse that has a variant form of the gene and are working to determine whether it leads to a nine-year delay.
Advanced stages of the disease can require 24-hour care and include symptoms of restlessness, abnormal limb postures, and falls. A person with this disease may also experience changes in body temperature and speech. The condition usually progresses over 15 to 20 years. During this time, individuals with Huntington’s disease will need assistance with daily activities.
Although doctors do not know what causes Huntington’s disease, they know that it’s caused by a defective gene. The cause of the disease is still not understood, but scientists have made strides in the field. Scientists continue to research the disease and try to find a cure. One of the most important things a patient can do is to get tested for the gene that causes Huntington’s disease.
New drug therapies for Huntington’s disease are in the works. Some of these drugs are already in clinical trials. A new drug called “UniQure” recently announced its first human trial for an early-stage Huntington’s disease treatment. The treatment is designed to reduce levels of a protein known as mutant huntingtin.
While Huntington’s disease is a progressive condition, there are still many treatments that can help a person live independently. Some of the most effective treatments are aimed at improving mobility and decreasing the severity of symptoms. Some of these treatments include physical therapy and speech therapy. Physical therapy can help a person learn to use a wheelchair or walker, or teach them how to use other assistive devices.
Prevention
Huntington’s disease is a genetic disease that affects the brain. It is a severe brain disorder caused by a change in one gene. It causes a person to lose their ability to think clearly and can lead to unsteadiness. Symptoms of Huntington’s disease may include tremors, loss of weight, incontinence, and slurred speech. While there is no known cure for the disease, treatment can greatly improve the quality of a patient’s life.
Genetic counseling and testing is recommended for people with a family history of the disease. Genetic testing can identify whether you carry a Huntington gene and the symptoms of the disease. Genetic counseling can help you make an informed decision about whether to have children. In-vitro fertilization can be an option for people with one parent carrying the disease gene. In vitro fertilization allows doctors to test an embryo in a laboratory to identify whether it has the disease gene. If it does not have the gene mutation, the doctor will implant the embryo.
The first step in diagnosing Huntington’s disease is to consult a physician who specializes in genetics. Genetic testing can identify a mutation in a person’s HTT gene, which may be the cause of Huntington’s. Predictive genetic testing, such as a blood test, is another way to detect a gene mutation before symptoms appear.
Although there is no cure for Huntington’s disease, there are treatments that can be used to control symptoms and to help patients cope. These therapies are currently undergoing clinical trials and could be approved within a few years. The best way to get the latest information about this disease is to visit websites dedicated to the condition or to consult a specialist.
People living with Huntington’s disease should make a plan for their care. A plan will make them feel empowered and prepared for the future. It’s also a good idea to discuss the future with loved ones. Caregivers can get help through support services. These services include respite care and supported accommodation options.
