Understanding Huntington’s Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Toketemu has been a multimedia storyteller for four years, specializing in mental health and women’s wellness topics.

Close

What Is Huntington’s Disease?

Huntington’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder impacting the central nervous system. As the disease advances, symptoms intensify and worsen over time. It is hereditary and caused by a mutation that leads to worsening severity in successive generations due to the repetition of a defective gene.

Typical symptoms include involuntary movements known as chorea, depression, mood fluctuations, memory problems, and tremors. The disorder affects cognitive functions, motor skills, and behavior. Since it is inherited, individuals with affected parents have a risk of developing the disease.

Huntington’s disease is relatively rare, especially among children and adolescents. In the United States, approximately 5.7 per 100,000 people are diagnosed, with children comprising about 5% to 10% of cases.

Types of Huntington’s Disease

Huntington’s disease manifests in two main forms:

• Juvenile Huntington’s disease: A rare form affecting children and teens, presenting similar symptoms as adults but often accompanied by stiffness and seizures.
• Adult-onset Huntington’s disease: The more prevalent type, with symptoms typically emerging between ages 30 and 50.
  

Recognizing Symptoms of Huntington’s Disease

Symptoms usually develop during mid-adulthood but can occasionally appear in children as young as five. These symptoms progress through stages, impacting both physical and mental health.

Early symptoms might be subtle and not interfere significantly with daily life, but as the disease progresses, severe impairments can make independent functioning impossible.

Early Signs

Early symptoms vary widely and are often overlooked until the disease advances. Common early indicators include:

• Rapid mood changes
• Restlessness or fidgeting
• Altered movement patterns
• Memory difficulties
• Challenges with decision-making
• Anxiety
• Learning difficulties
• Mild involuntary movements
• Depressive episodes

Advanced Symptoms

In later stages, Huntington’s disease severely impairs motor and cognitive abilities. Common symptoms include:

• Severe memory loss
• Difficulty swallowing and eating
• Intensified involuntary movements (chorea)
• Speech difficulties
• Confusion and disorientation
• Personality shifts
• Tremors and muscle rigidity
• Hallucinations
• Loss of coordination

Complications

As Huntington’s disease progresses, individuals may develop dementia, characterized by profound memory and personality changes. Chorea, the hallmark symptom, severely disrupts everyday activities such as speaking, walking, and eating.

What Causes Huntington’s Disease?

Huntington’s disease results from a genetic mutation inherited from an affected parent. If one parent carries the gene, there is a 50% chance of transmission to offspring. However, cases without family history can occur. People of European descent have a higher predisposition to the condition.

How Is Huntington’s Disease Diagnosed?

Diagnosing Huntington’s disease can be challenging due to symptom overlap with other neurological disorders. Physicians evaluate family history and conduct thorough neurological and physical examinations to confirm diagnosis.

Genetic Testing

Genetic testing is recommended for individuals with a family history, even if symptoms are absent. This testing assesses the likelihood of developing or passing on the disease.

Post-test counseling is essential to help individuals understand results and plan accordingly. Family members may also be encouraged to undergo testing.

Treatment Options for Huntington’s Disease

While no cure exists, treatments focus on symptom management and improving life quality. A multidisciplinary approach involves psychotherapy, physical therapy, medications, and support from specialists such as neurologists and psychiatrists.

Medications

Medications target specific symptoms, with chorea often prioritized in later stages. Common drugs include Austedo (deutetrabenazine), Haldol (haloperidol), and Xenazine (tetrabenazine).

Additional medications include:

• Antipsychotics to manage hallucinations and aggression
• Antidepressants to alleviate persistent depression
• Mood stabilizers to control mood swings and anxiety

Managing Life with Huntington’s Disease

Coping with Huntington’s disease can be challenging, especially after diagnosis or discovering genetic risk. Prioritizing mental and physical health is crucial. Regular exercise has been shown to enhance quality of life for those affected.

Additional self-care strategies include:

• Maintaining a balanced, nutritious diet to support overall well-being
• Joining support groups to connect with others and share coping strategies
• Planning for future care by designating trusted individuals to manage healthcare, finances, and important decisions as the disease progresses

Learn more about organic mental disorders and neurological conditions to deepen your understanding.

• Comprehensive A-Z Conditions
• Neurological Disorders Overview

Trusted Sources

1. Cleveland Clinic. Information on Chorea.
2. Cleveland Clinic. Genetics and Juvenile Cases of Huntington’s Disease.
3. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Huntington’s Disease Facts.
4. Stanford Health Care. Symptoms of Huntington’s Disease.
5. Northwestern Medicine. Causes and Diagnosis of Huntington’s Disease.
6. Caron NS, Wright GE, Hayden MR. Huntington Disease. GeneReviews, University of Washington; 1993.
7. Mueller SM, Petersen JA, Jung HH. Exercise Impact on Huntington’s Disease. Tremor and Other Hyperkinetic Movements, 2019.

Written by Toketemu Ohwovoriole
Toketemu is a multimedia storyteller with four years of experience, focusing on mental health and women's wellness.

See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Helpful Report an Error Other Submit

Discover engaging topics and analytical content in Neurological Disorders as of 14-04-2022. The article titled " Understanding Huntington’s Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment " provides new insights and practical guidance in the Neurological Disorders field. Each topic is meticulously analyzed to deliver actionable information to readers.

The topic " Understanding Huntington’s Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment " helps you make smarter decisions within the Neurological Disorders category. All topics on our website are unique and offer valuable content for our audience.