Huntington's disease

Huntington's disease is a relatively rare neurodegenerative condition in which change occurs in the normal functioning of the brain cells, leading to mental deterioration, altered behavior and loss of control over the major muscle movements. It is called Huntington's chorea because its most important feature is chorea, or involuntary body movements, rapid and unpredictable, that may affect the face, limbs and torso.

Huntington's disease is a hereditary (genetic) that each child of an individual with the disease has a 50% chance of inheriting. It affects people of all ethnic groups and affects both sexes equally.

Prevention

There is no way to prevent this disease when a person inherits the genetic abnormality.

If a person has a family history of Huntington's disease, can perform a genetic test that will determine whether you have the disease gene and, consequently, whether the risk of transmitting to their children.

Treatment

There is currently no treatment that allows Huntington's disease cure or slow the progression.

Some therapies can lessen the severity of clinical manifestations, including speech therapy and physiotherapy.

Some medications can help control mood and involuntary movements. These include the use of neuroleptics and tetrabenazine for severe cases of chorea and antidepressants, neuroleptics and anti-epileptic drugs for psychiatric manifestations.

Besides pharmacological treatment, it is essential to the support of a multidisciplinary team of health professionals, including psychological and genetic counseling.