Huntington’s Disease

By Thame McFadden
Interesting Fact
-Over 30,000 people in the United State have this
disease.
-It associated with depression.
Facts
- Genetic disease
- Causes neurons in the brain to deteriorate
- Affect the functioning of the body, including
thinking and movement
Facts
- Psychiatric problems
- Symptoms continue to worsen
- Death within 20 years
Facts
- Prescribe medication
- Various therapies
However!!! It does not prevent the degeneration
of….
Body
Mind
behavior
Symptoms of Huntington's Disease
- Can affect a person’s movement, behavior, and
mental health
- 30-50 years old
- Can happens earlier than this
- Worsen and vary
Early symptoms of Huntington’s Disease
- Mild
- Need little help
- Engage in everyday activities
Example of early symptoms of Huntington’s Disease
- Unable to concentrate
- Forgetfulness
- Stumbling or clumsy walking
- Slower movement
Example of early symptoms of Huntington’s disease
- Unable to sit still
- Mood swing
- Aggressive behavior
- Symptom of depression: hopeless or losing
interested in activities
In middle stage of Huntington’s Disease
- Affect patients’ life more
- Dropping something while holding it
- Difficulty in verbal communication
- Having problem with swallowing
In the last stage of Huntington’s Disease
- Symptoms will continue to worsen
- Need to be accompanied by a nurse
- Severe uncontrollable movement
- Unable to swallow a food properly will lead to
pneumonia
Example of last stage disease symptom
- Change in personality
- Might be unable to speak
Causes of Huntington's Disease
- Genetic disorder that passed through defective
gene
- The kids will have Huntington’s Disease if their
parents have the defective gene
Diagnosis of Huntington's Disease
Initially, the doctor may perform a general health
examination along with asking the patient's medical
history. Also ask the patient if any family member
has Huntington's disease.
Diagnosis of Huntington's Disease
- Check the function of the patient’s nervous
system and brain.
- Test patients’ cognitive and cognitive abilities.
- Assess the patient’s mental condition
- Check for genetic abnormalities
Treatment of Huntington's Disease
Unfortunately, doctors are unable to cure
Huntington’s Disease. Doctors can only treating the
symptoms experienced by patients. There are
several methods that can help reduce severity of
symptoms.
Drug treatment
- Medicines help relieve muscle spasms ( such as
Baclofen, Carisoprodol )
- Antipsychotic drugs ( such as quetiapine )
Treat with psychotherapy
- Manage the behavioral problems
- Planing how to deal with the symptom
Therapeutic therapy
- Improve the speaking skills of the patient
- Which help patients with controlling the muscles
of the mouth and neck
Treat with physical therapy
- Teaches proper exercise methods to improve
strength, flexibility, balance and coordination of
the different muscles in the body
Prevention of Huntington's Disease
People at risk of transmitting Huntington's Disease to their children should consult
a geneticist for prevention such as

- check for abnormalities in the genes

- IVF ( In Vitro Fertilization ) using a donor egg or sperm
- Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (take a woman’s egg and man’s sperm
mixed together in the laboratory dish and scanned for the abnormal gene, if
not found, the embryo will transfer to the woman uterus)
Thank You!
Reference
https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/huntington-disease/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/huntingtons-disease/symptoms-ca
uses/syc-20356117

https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-dementia/types-of-dementia/hunt
ington-s-disease