Huntington’s Disease

By:

Patrick McGaha

Anthony Pizzi

Inheritance / Mutation

It is an autosomal dominant pattern, an altered HTT gene. You can inherit it from one parent carrying the altered gene.

HTT gene which makes a protein called huntingtin.

Incidence

3 to 7 per 100,000 people of European ancestry. Less common in Japan, China, and people of the African descent.

Symptoms

Involuntary jerking or writing movements Abnormal eye movements Difficulty with physical production of speech Lack if flexibility or the tendency to get stuck on a

thought or a behavior Sadness or unhappiness, social withdrawal, tiredness Bipolar disorder, fatigue, sleeping, unable to stay

focused, loss of energy, reduced sex drive, OCD, sexual inhibition or inappropriate sexual behaviors, irritability, apathy, anxiety, loss of previously learned academic or physical skills, rapid drop in overall school performance

Treatment / Medications

No treatments can alter the course of Huntington’s Disease. However, medications can lessen the symptoms of movement and psychiatric disorders. Tetrabenazine (Xenazine) – is specifically approved by the food

and drug administration to suppress the involuntary jerking or writhing movements associated with Huntington’s Disease (Chorea). A serious risk is worsening or triggering depression or other psychiatric conditions. Other side effects include insomnia, drowsiness, nausea, restlessness which is very bad for someone with Huntington’s Disease.

Antipsychotic drugs – haloperidol and clazopine which has a side effect of suppressing movements.

Lifetime Limitations

People with Huntington’s Disease will soon become clumsier and clumsier and will bump into many things, even around the house. They will no longer be able to drive and will have to rely mostly on friends and family. If they stay active and try to live a normal life, that might slow down some effects of Huntington’s Disease.

Bibliography http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/huntingtons-disease/DS00401/DS

ECTION=treatments-and-drugs http://huntingtonsdisease-laxplayer212.blogspot.com/2009/03/what-l

imitations-does-person-have.html http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/huntingtons-disease/DS00401/