Huntington Disease

 

Huntington Disease

    Huntington Disease (HD) is a progressive genetic disorder which affects the brain.

    It causes uncontrolled movements, impaired coordination of balance and movement, a decline in cognitive abilities, difficulty in concentrating and memory lapses, mood swings and personality changes.

    The HTT genes are involved in the production of a protein called huntingtin. They provide the instruction for making the protein.

    Mutated genes provide faulty instructions leading to production of abnormal huntingtin proteins and formation of clumps.

    These clumps disrupt the normal functioning of the brain cells, which eventually leads to death of neurons in the brain, resulting in Huntington disease.

    No cure exists, but drugs, physiotherapy and talk therapy can help manage some symptoms.