Huntington's disease and

Multiple Sclerosis
 Huntington's disease
• It is a rare inherited disease in which neurons in
the brain degenerate, leading to jerky
uncontrolled movement and dementia
• Caused by a single abnormal gene that occurs
when a group of DNA base pairs is repeated
many times.
• The faulty gene generates an abnormal version
of Huntingtin protein, which then builds up in
nerve cells and leads to the degeneration of
neurons in the basal ganglia and cerebral cortex.
 Symptoms
• Start to appear between the ages of 35 and 50, although
they may sometimes start in childhood.
• Early symptoms include chorea (jerky, rapid,
uncontrollable movements), clumsiness, and involuntary
facial grimaces and twitches.
• Other symptoms then develop, including speech problems;
difficulty swallowing; depression; apathy; and dementia,
which usually takes the form of lack of concentration,
memory problems, and personality and mood changes
(including aggressive or antisocial behavior).
• The disease usually progresses slowly, eventually causing
death some 10–30 years after symptoms first appear.
 Diagnosis and Cure
• A diagnosis of Huntington’s disease is made
from the symptoms, with brain scans, and also
genetic (to test for the abnormal gene) and
neuropsychological testing.
• There is no cure for Huntington’s disease, and
drug treatment is aimed at reducing the
symptoms. Keeping physically and mentally
active is also advised.
 MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
• Progressive disease, causes destruction of the myelin
sheaths that surround neurons in the brain and spinal cord.
• It is thought to be an autoimmune disease in which the
body’s immune system destroys the cells that produce the
myelin sheaths.
• Eventually hardened (sclerosed) plaques of scar tissue form
over the demyelinated areas and the neurons themselves
degenerate.
• The effect of these changes is to impair or block nerve
impulses.
• The reason for this autoimmune reaction is not known,
although there may be genetic, environmental, or infectious
factors involved
• The course and symptoms of MS vary among
individuals.
• In addition to common symptoms, there may also
be mental changes, such as poor memory, anxiety,
and depression.
• The most common type is relapsing-remitting
MS, in which attacks (relapses) of gradually
worsening symptoms are followed by periods of
remission.
• In progressive MS, symptoms worsen without
remission. In most cases, relapsing-remitting MS
may develop into progressive MS.
COMMON EFFECTS OF MS
The symptoms of MS vary
considerably among different
people. The illustration shows some
of the more common symptoms of
the condition