Download Huntington*s Disease

Facts and Information on:
By: Xavier Robles-Giron
George
Huntington
What Causes This Disease?
Huntington’s Disease is caused by an
autosomal dominant gene. This means that
if a person inherits the dominant gene it will
affect them some point in their life. The
only exception is if one of the parents has a
mutated gene for this disease; then there is
only a 50% chance that their child will
inherit the disease.
Brain Scan of Patient
with Huntington’s Disease
Symptoms
Huntington’s Disease affects the part of the brain
that controls thinking, emotions, and movement.
A person diagnosed with Huntington’s Disease
can start feeling the effects from anywhere
between the ages of 30-45. But there is also a
chance of getting symptoms earlier or later in
life.
Symptoms Include: poor memory, depression
and/or mood swings, lack of coordination,
twitching or other uncontrolled movements, and
difficulty walking, speaking, and/or swallowing.
In the late stages of the disease, a person will
need help doing even simple tasks, such as
getting dressed.
Affected
Area of
the Brain
Diagnosis
During pregnancy a woman can find out if her child will
inherit this disease with two tests. The first test is a
doctor can take a sample fluid from the fetus. The
second test is a doctor can take a sample of fetal
cells from the placenta.
After birth the doctors can identify the disease by
performing a series of neurological and
psychological tests. A genetic test can then confirm
the diagnosis by determining if the person indeed
has inherited the HD gene mutation.
However, all these tests cannot tell at what age a
person will begin to get sick.
Is there a Cure?
There are no known cures to this
disease. But worldwide there are
researchers that are trying to find
medical strategies to slow the
progress of this disease.
There are known medications that can
help a person diagnosed with this
disease live a more comfortable life.
Medications can help stop depression,
anxiety and help control involuntary
movements.
More Information
After a certain amount of time with the disease
the person will no longer be able to care for
him/herself
 This disease can cause emotional, social, and
economical problems in a persons life
 After time goes by the disease can cause death
by choking, infection, or heart failure
 If a child or even a teen gets this disease then
there is a slight chance that they would live to
adulthood
 Physical and speech therapy can help a person
live a more normal life

Video

http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/
huntingtonsdisease/1d2tp5gwo?q=huntington's+dis
ease
References:
http://www.hcmc.org/depts/hd/facts.htm
 http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/dis
orders/whataregd/hunt/
 http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/fact
s/huntingtons.htm
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