Huntington’s Disease

Question 1

what is HD?

Answer 1

A rare neurodegenerative disorder of the CNS characterized by involuntary choreatic movements, cognitive, behavioral, and psychiatric disturbances

Question 2

etiology of HD

Answer 2

HD is inherited, and it causes neurons to die

It is caused by a mutation that elongates a specific gene

having a parent with the diagnosis increases chances to 50%

Question 3

diagnosing HD

Answer 3

Physical examinations, lab test, brain, scans, psychiatric exams

Question 4

anatomy of HD

Answer 4

defect on chromosome four

Neurodegeneration of striatal part of basal ganglia

Question 5

Onset of HD

Answer 5

between ages of 30 and 40; rare cases affect teens and children

Question 6

symptoms of HD

Answer 6

Forgetting, irritability, depression

Dysphasia, memory, loss, chorea, speech problems

Question 7

Speech, language and swallowing issues for HD

Answer 7

speech - dysarthria, vocal quality

Language - naming difficulty

Swallowing - choking, coughing, aspiration pneumonia

Question 8

treatment for HD

Answer 8

no cure

implement safety protocol, Botox, therapy