Neurodegenerative Diseases: Huntington’s

Written by: Caroline Kim

August 31. 2024

In continuation of the neurodegenerative conditions series, we’ll dive into the topic of Huntington’s Disease. As defined by Mayo Clinic: Huntington’s causes the decay of the nerve cells in the brain affecting an individual's movements, thinking, and mental health. This disease is progressive, generally affects individuals between the ages of 30 and 50; the symptoms of this condition can affect one’s daily activities, work, and overall independence. 

Movement symptoms may include involuntary jerking, rigid muscles, abnormal eye movement, difficulty with speech, difficulty swallowing, difficulty walking, and difficulty maintaining balance (National Institute of Health). As listed by Mayo Clinic, cognitive symptoms usually involve trouble organizing, hyperfixation, impulsivity, lack of awareness, and trouble taking in new information. Last but not least, mental health conditions can range through social withdrawal, irritability, sadness, fatigue, thoughts of death, suicide, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Mania, and Bipolar Disorder (Mayo Clinic Staff). In a slightly different variation of Huntington’s disease, Juvenile Huntington’s Disease affects younger people and progresses in a slightly different form. In Juvenile Huntington’s, behavioral change includes lack of focus, drop in school performance, and aggressiveness; physical changes include rigid muscles, tremors, clumsiness, and seizures (Mayo Clinic Staff). 

It is important to note that Huntington’s is hereditary, and “follows an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern… means that a person needs only one copy of the nontypical gene to develop the disorder” (Mayo Clinic Staff). Because this is a very genetic disorder, preventative measures do not exist. Diagnosis usually involves a neurological exam as well as a genetic exam for confirmation; this may involve blood tests, MRI’s, and CT scans (National Institute of Health). Like other neurodegenerative disorders, there is no cure for Huntington’s; however, treatments such as physical/occupational/speech therapy, counseling, and medications exist (Cleveland Clinic Medical Professional). Unfortunately, this disease results in death around 10-30 years after symptoms develop, and about 10-15 years after juvenile symptoms (Mayo Clinic Staff). Other complications associated with Huntington’s may include dementia, physical injury, malnutrition, and infections such as pneumonia (Cleveland Clinic Medical Professional). 

While Huntington’s disease itself is not necessarily fatal, related conditions and illnesses contribute toward the risk of death (Cleveland Clinic Medical Professional). 

Sources:

1. Mayo Clinic Staff. “Huntington’s Disease.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 25 Apr. 2024, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/huntingtons-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20356117. Accessed 31 Aug. 2024. 

2. Cleveland Clinic Medical Professional. “Huntington’s Disease: What Is It?” Cleveland Clinic, 1 May 2024, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14369-huntingtons-disease. Accessed 31 Aug. 2024. 

3. National Institute of Health. “Huntington’s Disease.” National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 19 July 2024, www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/huntingtons-disease. Accessed 31 Aug. 2024.