Huntington’s disease: Understanding

A lot of research and studies have been devoted towards the progress of understanding HD and its possible treatment. Experts in the medical field have joined hands towards the goal of finding a treatment for HD. Though there is still no cure for the treatment of HD, here are some fast facts that will aid you in understanding this disease better.

What Is HD?

• A genetically transferred and degenerative brain disease.
• A disease that affects both the body and mind of the victim.
• Generally, its symptoms may appear between 30 and 50 years of age, but have appeared as young as 2 and as old as 70.
• Each child of a HD parent has a 50% chance of inheriting the disorder and is said to be "at risk".
• HD commonly progresses over a 10 to 25 year period.

Characteristics/Symptoms

• Changes in personality, depression, mood swings.
• Unsteady posture and involuntary movements.
• Slurred speech.
• Impaired judgment.
• Difficulty in swallowing.
• Intoxicated appearance.

Affected Population

• Around 30,000 Americans have HD.
• The disease occur approximately 1 in 10,000 people in most "western" countries. In some countries the prevalence may be much lower.
• There are at lest 150,000 people are at risk of inheriting HD from a parent.
• Both sexes can be affected by the disease.
• Since this disease is hereditary, this never skips generations. If you have not inherited the gene, you cannot pass it on.
• If you're a carrier of the gene, you will develop the disease. If you live long, you can pass it on.

Challenge to The Entire Family

• Every family member, whether they have the disease or not, is challenged emotionally, socially and economically.

Research Breakthrough

• After a 10-year research, scientists announced in March 1993 that they had found the gene which causes HD.

Genetic Testing

• The gene discovery has made possible a new predictive test for HD allowing those at risk to find out whether or not they will develop the disease.
• The new test requires a blood sample only from the person being tested, unlike the old test which required samples from several members.
• A number of testing centers may request a sample from a parent for confirmation purposes.
• A Pre- and post-test counseling is a necessary and important part of the testing procedure.