Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center

Huntington's Disease

In Huntington's Disease, brain cells (called neurons) degenerate. This causes uncontrolled movements and a loss of intellectual abilities as well emotional disturbance.

HD is passed down from parent to child. Every child of an HD parent has a 50% chance of inheriting the abnormal HD gene. If a child doesn't inherit the abnormal HD gene, he or she will not get the disease and cannot pass it on. Any person who inherits the abnormal HD gene will eventually get the disease.

Diagnosis

These tests can help diagnose Huntingdon's Disease:

• Personal medical history
• Family medical history
• Physical exam
• Neuroimaging

Symptoms

Early symptoms include:

• Depression
• Uncontrolled movements
• Mood swings
• Irritability
• Difficulty driving or learning new things
• Problems with memory
• Difficulty making a decision

Treatment

There is no way to cure or reverse Huntingdon's Disease. Doctors prescribe drugs to help control emotional and movement problems. It is very important for people with HD to be as physically fit as possible. People with HD who exercise and stay active do better than those who do not.

Related Links

Vanderbilt Neurosciences