Analysis Of Huntington 's Disease And Its Effects On The Patients And Their Families

Huntington’s Disease is a brain disorder affecting movement, cognition, and emotions (Schoenstadt). It is a genetic disorder generally affecting people in their middle 30s and 40s (Sheth). Worldwide, Huntington’s disease (affects between 3-7 per 100,000 people of European ancestry (Schoenstadt). In the United States alone, 1 in every 30,000 people has Huntington’s disease (Genetic Learning Center). Huntington’s Disease is a multi-faceted disease, with a complex inheritance pattern and a wide range of symptoms. There is also much research being done in the field of Huntington’s disease, because as of 2012, this disease is untreatable. THESIS.

Huntington's disease is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder. It is passed on to children from one or both parents (though two parents with Huntington's is extraordinarily rare) in an autosomal dominant manner. This is different from autosomal recessive disorder, which requires two altered genes (one from each parent) to inherit the disorder.

It is said that Huntington's disease was first introduced to Australia by a Somerset woman who arrived in Tasmania aboard the "Arab" ship in 1842. She had thirteen children; eight with her first husband and five with her second. Five of the six females and four of the seven males inherited the disease.

The mother may decide to conduct a genetic test or speak to her children about the potential risk of inheriting Huntington’s disease, this is an option a family may have knowing the medical genealogy.

Huntington's Disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant, progressive, neurodegenerative disorder (Walker, 2007 and Harmon, 2007). The gene that causes the disease is located on the fourth chromosome and causes an abnormal number of repeats in the patient's genetic code (Harmon, 2007). Huntington's Disease can have devastating effects on patients' quality of life. The first symptoms of HD generally start between the ages of 30 and 45 and patients are typically asymptomatic prior to this time (Terrenoire, 1992 and Walker, 2007). However, the disease progresses with subtle changes in motor control, personality, and cognition. Patients eventually develop distinct

Huntington's disease is an autosomal dominant disorder, which is found on the # 4 chromosome. George Huntington discovered it in 1872. It mainly has an effect on the nervous system. There are around 210,000 bases between D4S180 and D4S127. The disease itself is found in 2% of people in their childhood, and in 5% of the people they were older then 60. (Miller p 16) In the majority of the affected people the disease is detected between the ages of 35-45. In males the disease begins around the time of their childhood. However, in females it begins later in life. This severe symptom has a tendency for the condition to worsen as it is passed on from generation to generation. Huntington’s disease is paternally

Today, a blood test is available to diagnose a person displaying suspected Huntington's symptoms. The test analyzes DNA in the blood sample and counts the number of times the genetic code for the mutated Huntington's gene is repeated. Individuals with Huntington's Disease usually have 40 or more such "repeats;" those without it, 28 or fewer. If the number of repeats falls somewhere in between then more extensive neurological and diagnostic testing are called for. Tests of the patients hearing, eye movements, strength, feeling, reflexes, balance, movement and mental condition will follow. The patient may also be asked about any recent intellectual or emotional

Huntington’s Disease (HD) is a genetically inherited, progressive, autosomal dominant, fatal neurodegenerative disease that’s characterized by behavioral difficulties, decline of cognitive abilities, abnormal involuntary movements (chorea), and muscle spasms (dystonia) (1). These characteristics help diagnose patients with HD, but a genetic test can be done to prove that one has the disorder. The gene responsible is that which produces the huntingtin protein in chromosome 4; the defect causes extra repeats of the chemical code (2).

Huntington’s Disease (HD) is defined as being a progressive neurodegenerative condition which can be characterized by cognitive, motor and behavioral problems (Mestre, Ferreira, Coelho, Sampaio, & Costa, 2009). It is an autosomal dominant disease, meaning that if a child’s parent is affected by HD, there is a 50% chance the child will be affected as well. Huntington’s disease (first known as Huntington’s Chorea) was first documented and studied in 1872 by George Huntingon, MD (Aubeeluck & Wilson, 2008, p. 146; Bourne, Clayton, Murch, & Grant, 2006). Almost 150 years later there is still little known about this disease, which contains no cure in sight.

Huntington’s disease is an important illness to study because it affects many individuals, and there is currently no cure. Therefore, the more knowledge and understanding society has around it, the better the chances of discovering a cure. This disease affects individuals in every country, however, there is a trend of Huntington’s disease in European individuals and in individuals of European descent (Liou, 2010). Across Europe, 40 to 100 cases of this disease are reported per million people. This information proposes that several different mutations likely caused Europe’s high Huntington’s disease prevalence rates. A study done in 1994 demonstrated that Sweden alone contains a minimum of three origins of the Huntington disease allele (Liou, 2010).

Huntington’s disease causes the breakdown of nerve cells in the brain. It affects the nervous system and is hereditary. As an Autosomal Dominant disorder, it only needs one copy of a faulty gene to develop the disorder. It has been assessed that Huntington’s disease influences around 10.6 and 13.7 for each 100,000 people in the European society. In the American society, 1 in 10,000 will have the disease and furthermore approximately 150,000 Americans also have the 50% chance of developing the illness. It is very common in European descent, however appears to be uncommon in Asian populations. This report will explain how it is caused, the signs and symptoms and how it affects an individual, furthermore it will be explaining

Huntington’s disease is caused by genetic mutation. The mutation occurs on the HTT gene; the HTT gene contains the DNA used to code for a protein called Huntingtin. The HTT gene is located on the shorter arm of the 4th chromosome. The protein, Huntingtin, is primarily used in neurons in the brain and is also found throughout the body.

Many people who know that their parents may have given them the HD gene see no good coming from knowing that they will someday have all the problems that come along with HD. Others see it as an opportunity to end uncertainty and to make plans for their future. Testing sometimes brings psychological and social challenges, as people begin to worry about their future, but it can also bring relief to uncertainty, and that’s what makes it such a difficult decision for some people. Some of the disadvantages of HD testing is the process itself. Many people report that the amount of time it takes to get results is very nerve-wracking, and it makes them nervous about the results. In addition, it makes people live very anxious lives, if they come back positive, as they will constantly be wondering when the HD symptoms will strike and start becoming an issue for them. According to Huntington’s Disease Drug Works, there are many different discrimination events that occurred after people found out they were positive, some even negative. These included personal, insurance, employment, transactional, and cumulative burden events of discrimination (Goodman). However, there are many good and positive things that can come along with the testing. For example, it allows the person to know what their

The Huntington disease is a type of disease people suffer when they gradually got older, around 30 to 40 years old. It provides instructions for making proteins. The function is unknown, although it plays an important role in the nerves cells, in the brain. HTT mutation causes the Huntington disease and involves a DNA segment known as a CAG trinucleotide. Unfortunately there is no cure for the disease but drugs, physiotherapy and talk therapy can help manage some symptoms.

This couple wants to do genetic testing on their unborn child because huntington's disease runs in their family. The mother's mother had huntington's disease and the couple is worried for their child's health. Another factor impacting them is that they are of