Research Paper on Huntington's Disease

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.

This disease is genetically inherited and is a dominant characteristic, therefore unfortunately the offspring of a victim has 50% chance of inheriting the disease.

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

The three most profound behavioral problems in Huntington 's disease come from the uncontrollable movements called "chorea," dementia, and the altered perception of the

The disease that I have chosen is Huntington’s disease. Australian Huntingtin’s Disease Association (NSW) says that five in one hundred thousand people have Huntington’s disease. Huntington’s disease is rare in people who descended from Europe, but according to the U.S national library of medicine it is less common in people of “Japanese, Chinese and African decent” to name a few (2017). The symptoms may include: subtle changes in personality and physical skill. The most recognisable symptom is random sporadic movements throughout the body. This is called chorea; this can reduce coordination and cause other minor motor abnormities. This would lead to difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking, cause unusual facial expressions

Huntington’s disease would affect motor movements such as doing jerks and twitches. Tremors would spread and gradually interfere with walking, speech, and other voluntary movements.

If the disease is of the homozygous variety in a person it occurs in 1 in every 10,000 people. If the disease is heterozygous then in is found between 1 in every 5,000 people and 1 in every 15,000 people. It is more common in Venezuela then anywhere else, although it is discovered in about 240 people per year in the United States. A DNA marker G8 (D4S10) is closely linked to HD and has been identified as being on the # 4 chromosome and can detect Heterozygotes. (Encarta Encyclopedia) The connection between G8 and HD has not been clinically used because it’s a very serious disease. Theoretically a homozygote can be detected parentally. If a female has a child and she is tested positive for HD and has no history of it, then the father as well as the child a bound to end up with the disease. (Textbook

Huntington's Disease (HD) is a disability that will continue to get worse and worse over time. The lifespan for someone living with HD is 10 to 25 years after they are diagnosed and showing symptoms, which is usually around the ages of 30 to 50 ("What Is Huntington's Disease," 2017). These symptoms begin at different times and depend on the individual. Overtime, the person affected will begin to lose their ability to walk, talk, and eat over the course of these 10 to 25 years resulting in the need for 24 hour care.

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological brain disorder. Brains have neurotransmitters called dopamine and people with Parkinson’s gradually stop producing it. This causes a decline in in their ability to manage their body movements and emotions. Parkinson is classified in 5 stages and its symptoms are also similar to Lewy Body (“What is Parkinson's”). The four main motor symptoms of Dementia are slowness of movement, also called bradykinesia, involuntary shaking, or tremor at rest, stiffness of arms and legs, trouble with balance and falls, also called postural instability, said by the National Parkinson’s Foundation (“Motor Symptoms”). Huntington's is an inherited disease caused by degenerative cells in your brain and spinal cord. Symptoms greatly affect the person's thinking and movement ability. Other symptoms include behavior changes, memory loss, and sometimes obsessive-compulsive behavior. People develop this disease at the early ages of thier 30’s and 40’s but some can develop it as early as their 20’s this is called juvenile Huntington's Disease (“Huntington’s Disease”). Although this paper has discussed the 6 most common forms of dementia there are a few rarer types called Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease and Korsakoff's

"Of its hereditary nature. When either or both the parents have shown manifestations of the disease ..., one or more of the offspring almost invariably suffer from the disease ... But if by any chance these children go through life without it, the thread is broken and the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of the original shakers may rest assured that they are free from the disease." (Huntington) Huntington’s Disease is a hereditary and progressive

According to Cunha, (2010) article Huntingtons Disease, there is no treatment to stop Huntington’s disease. The physicians may prescribe a lot of medication to control the emotional and movement problems. The U.S Food and Drug Administration approved tetrabenazine in August 2008 to treat the HD making it the first drug approved in U.S to treat the disease. To help reducing the choreic movements and help to control hallucinations, delusions and violent outburst, use Antipsychotic drugs such as haloperidol or clonazepam. However, the Antipsychotic are not prescribed for other form of muscle contraction called dystonia associated with HD that can worsen the condition causing stiffness. Also, it have a severe side effects including sedation so it should take in lowest doses. Physicians may prescribe fluoxetine, sertraline, nortriptyline for depression. Tranquilizers help to control anxiety and lithium may prescribed to severe mood swings and pathological excitement. Some individuals with HD need medications to treat the obsessive-compulsive. Other drugs used to treat symptoms of HD have side effects such as fatigue, restlessness and hyperexcitability.

Medical Scenario: Huntington’s Disease Rylee Kashmiry Valencia College Author Note This essay was intended for Professor Pierre-Louis at Valencia College during the Spring 2018 semester. Medical Scenario: Huntington’s Disease Huntington’s Disease is a progressive condition in which the nerve cells in the brain break down and cause involuntary movements of the body during the 30’s and 40’s of an individual. Cause and Effect Huntington’s disease is a genetic disorder that one must inherit.

Imagine not remembering the names of your family members, having difficulty swallowing, not being able to control your movements. Imagine being trapped in a body that is turning against you, slowly deteriorating around you and you are helpless to stop it. This is the very real and terrifying reality for those with Huntington’s disease. “Many describe the symptoms of HD as having ALS, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s – simultaneously.” This disease isn’t picky, it devastates the families of people from all races or ethnic groups around the world, and a person’s sex isn’t an issue. “Huntington’s disease is a fatal genetic disorder that causes the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain.” This disease is passed from

Huntington’s disease is an inherited disorder of the central nervous system, and the degeneration of nerve cells in the brain, which causes the brain to deteriorate.

The next disease being discussed, Huntington’s Disease, is a hereditary progressive neurodegenerative disorder that can affect the psyche, emotions, and behavior. However, it is most commonly known for the loss of cognitive functioning as well as motor disturbances (Leffler, 2011). Usually the initial signs of Huntington’s Disease starts with jerky movements that can affect various parts of the body (face, arms, legs, etc.) as well as the gradual beginnings of dementia; the memory is usually impaired. There also may be disorientation, or disillusioned ideas of time, place or identity, as well as personality changes and possible increased agitation. Common neurobehavioral changes include: a tendency to blame others for one’s faults, suspiciousness, impulsiveness, constant complaining, lack of self-control, and lack of