Huntington Disorder
Huntington Disorder or more commonly referred as Huntington disease is a progressive
brain disorder that causes uncontrolled movements, emotional problems, and loss of
thinking ability. Huntington disease normally shows in a person’s mid thirties to forties of
age. The disease may start of as small involuntary movements, depression and a struggle to
take in new information or slight case of short-term memory loss. Huntington disease leads
to death after 15 to 20 years after the early signs.
The autosomal dominant parent inherits Huntington disease. Which in most cases the
offspring inherences the disorder from one parent who has Huntington’s disease. Often the
disease is passed down from generation to generation, which causes families many
problems. In the population Huntington disease effects 3 to 7 per 100,000 of all European
decent. The disorder is less common in those of Japanese and African descent.
Treatments for Huntington disease are limited. None can completely take the disorder
away from someone however drugs and medications can be used to slow down and
prevent a few of the symptoms that may be dangerous in day to day life for someone with
Huntingon disorder. Tetrabenazine (Xenazine) is a drug used to control some of the
involuntary jerking and movements. Medications may help one symptom but increase
another so too much of any of the medications is extremely risky.
Huntington disorders has affected many people since its first discovery in 1872. Because it
is a disease that affects the brain and brain nerves there is yet to be a cure found for this
genetic disorder.
Works Cited
Staff, Mayo C. “Huntington’s Disease.” Symptoms. Mayo Clinic Staff, 13 Apr. 2011. Web.
04 May 2014
Staff, Genetics R. “Huntington Disease.” – Genetics Home Reference. Genetic; Huntington
Disease, 21 Feb. 2009. Web. 04 May 2014.