Huntington's Disease: A Rare Genetic Neurodegenerative Condition
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Huntington's Disease is a rare genetic disorder. It is also known as Degenerative Chorea, Chronic Progressive Chorea, and even Woody Guthrie's Disease.
Huntington's disease is a difficult condition to manage. It is progressive and neurodegenerative (nerve cells in the brain degenerate). As the body continues to deteriorate, involuntary movements of t 
he feet, hands, face and trunk become common. Meanwhile, cognitive processes deteriorate and memory problems increase; Huntington's creates a form of dementia.
Each child of a Huntington's Disease sufferer has a 50% chance of inheriting the gene that causes the disease. If one does not inherit the gene, they will obviously not develop the disease or pass it on. However, if one does inherit the gene, they WILL eventually develop the disease.
Depression, mood swings, irritability, trouble learning new things, trouble driving, and trouble making decisions are all early onset symptoms.
An individual's involuntary body movements may be rapid, jerky and irregular (a condition called chorea). Conversely, one may develop atheotosis, in which movements are slow and writhing.
As one with Huntington's Disease develops dementia, they may become increasingly disoriented and confused. Their personality may change or disappear and their ability to recall memories becomes impaired. They will also become restless and agitated.
Sadly, one may suffer from the disease anywhere from ten to 25 years. Often they eventually require constant care and become bedridden. They may even have difficulty swallowing or feeding themselves. Complications due to falling and becoming injured, or infections like pneumonia often become life-threatening.
Huntington's Disease is genetic; it is known as an autosomal dominant trait. If the gene known as "huntingtin" mutates, the disesase will develop. The codes on this gene become abnormally long - the length of the code can determine the age of onset. The symptoms of the disease are caused by nerves in the brain, particularly in the basal ganglia and cerebral cortex, degenerating.
Huntington's disease is a difficult condition to manage. It is progressive and neurodegenerative (nerve cells in the brain degenerate). As the body continues to deteriorate, involuntary movements of t
Each child of a Huntington's Disease sufferer has a 50% chance of inheriting the gene that causes the disease. If one does not inherit the gene, they will obviously not develop the disease or pass it on. However, if one does inherit the gene, they WILL eventually develop the disease.
Depression, mood swings, irritability, trouble learning new things, trouble driving, and trouble making decisions are all early onset symptoms.
An individual's involuntary body movements may be rapid, jerky and irregular (a condition called chorea). Conversely, one may develop atheotosis, in which movements are slow and writhing.
As one with Huntington's Disease develops dementia, they may become increasingly disoriented and confused. Their personality may change or disappear and their ability to recall memories becomes impaired. They will also become restless and agitated.
Sadly, one may suffer from the disease anywhere from ten to 25 years. Often they eventually require constant care and become bedridden. They may even have difficulty swallowing or feeding themselves. Complications due to falling and becoming injured, or infections like pneumonia often become life-threatening.
Huntington's Disease is genetic; it is known as an autosomal dominant trait. If the gene known as "huntingtin" mutates, the disesase will develop. The codes on this gene become abnormally long - the length of the code can determine the age of onset. The symptoms of the disease are caused by nerves in the brain, particularly in the basal ganglia and cerebral cortex, degenerating.