Huntington's disease (HD) is an inherited disorder that affects
the brain. HD causes slow, progressive degeneration of nerve
cells in certain areas of the brain. Eventually, HD results in:
- Abnormal body movements - Gradual deterioration or loss of
intellectual abilities (dementia) - Behavior problems A faulty
gene on chromosome #4 causes HD. All people who inherit the
faulty gene may eventually develop HD. These factors increase
your chance of developing HD: - Family members with HD: Each
person whose parent has HD has a 50% chance of inheriting the
disorder. - Age: Onset of symptoms range from 35-50 years old.
Juvenile cases occur in people less than 20 years of age.
Symptoms are mild at first and are often barely noticeable but
usually worsen over 15-20 years. Physical symptoms may include:
Abnormal body movements that worsen over time, including: -
Sudden jerks or uncontrolled movements of the limbs or trunk -
Facial grimacing - Continuous need to turn head and shift gaze -
Walking that is unsteady or da