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Huntington's Disease

Home > Illnesses and Disabilities Home > Types of Illnesses & Disabilities > Huntington's Disease

Huntington's disease (HD) is a disorder in which certain nerve cells in your brain die. It is caused by a single defective gene. The loss of nerve cells produces uncontrolled movements, behavior changes, and problems with thinking.

In some people, the uncontrolled movements are sudden and brief and seem to flow from one body part to another. In others, the movements may be slow and the person becomes rigid. These uncontrolled movements make it difficult to walk, and the person can fall easily.

Behavior changes may include:

• depression
• irritability
• anxiety
• seeing or hearing things that aren't there

Other symptoms may include:

• loss of memory
• poor judgment
• confusion
• disorganized speech

The disease can reach the point where swallowing, eating, speaking, and walking become very difficult. Some people cannot recognize other family members. In general, the illness lasts from 10 to 30 years.

There is no cure for HD. But there are medicines that can help treat HD symptoms. If you have HD, it is important to stay physically active as long as possible. Those who stay active tend to do better than those who do not.

If you have a parent with HD, you have a 50 percent chance of inheriting the defective gene that causes HD. You can take a blood test to see if you have the gene. If you want to get the test, go to a center with experience in counseling people at risk for Huntington's disease.

Additional Resources

Publications

1.   Huntington's Disease - This publication provides an overview of Huntington's disease. It explains what it is, what the symptoms and treatments are, and where to obtain additional resources.

   http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000770.htm

2.   Huntington's Disease: Hope Through Research - This booklet presents information about Huntington's Disease, what it is, how to diagnose and treat it, and what research is being conducted. HD results from genetically programmed degeneration of nerve cells, called neurons, in certain areas of the brain.

   http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/huntington/detail_huntington.htm

3.   Learning About Huntington's Disease - This publication explains how heredity relates to Huntington's disease. It gives information on tests to detect it, clinical research, and a list of additional resources.

   http://www.genome.gov/10001215

4. Huntington's Disease (Copyright © Mayo Foundation) - This publication gives an overview of Huntington’s disease. It lists the signs, symptoms, causes, and risk factors. In addition, it provides information regarding screening and diagnosis, complications, treatment, medications, prevention, self-care, and coping skills.

   http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/huntingtons-disease/DS00401

5. Overview of Huntington's Disease (Copyright © WE MOVE) - This publication explains what Huntington’s disease is and gives information on the symptoms, epidemiology, causes/genetics, diagnosis and treatment. It also gives a list of where to get additional information.

   http://www.wemove.org/hd/hd.html

Organizations

1.   National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH, HHS
2.   National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, HHS
3. Hereditary Disease Foundation
4. Huntington’s Disease Society of America

= Indicates Federal Resources

Content last updated May 15, 2008.