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What is Huntington's Disease (HD)

Huntington's Disease: a devastating, hereditary, degenerative brain disorder for which
there is, at present, no effective treatment or cure. HD slowly diminishes the affected
individual's ability to walk, think, talk and reason. Eventually, the person with HD
becomes totally dependent upon others for his or her care. Huntington's Disease
profoundly affects the lives of entire families -- emotionally, socially and economically.

Named for Dr. George Huntington, who first described this hereditary disorder in 1872,
HD is now recognized as one of the more common genetic disorders. More than a quarter
of a million Americans have HD or are "at risk" of inheriting the disease from an affected
parent. HD affects as many people as Hemophilia, Cystic Fibrosis or muscular dystrophy. Early symptoms of Huntington's Disease may affect cognitive ability or mobility and
include depression, mood swings, forgetfulness, clumsiness, involuntary twitching and
lack of coordination. As the disease progresses, concentration and short-term memory
diminish and involuntary movements of the head, trunk and limbs increase. Walking,
speaking and swallowing abilities deteriorate. Eventually the person is unable to care
for him or herself. Death follows from complications such as choking, infection or
heart failure. HD typically begins in mid-life, between the ages of 30 and 45, though onset may occur
as early as the age of 2. Children who develop the juvenile form of the disease rarely
live to adulthood. HD affects males and females equally and crosses all ethnic and racial boundaries.
Each child of a person with HD has a 50/50 chance of inheriting the fatal gene. Everyone
who carries the gene will develop the disease. In 1993, the HD gene was isolated and
a direct genetic test developed which can accurately determine whether a person
carries the HD gene. The test cannot predict when symptoms will begin. However,
in the absence of a cure, some individuals "at risk" elect not to take the test.

Since the discovery of the gene that causes HD, scientific research has accelerated
and much has been added to our understanding of Huntington's Disease and its effects
upon different individuals. By continuing to increase investment in both clinical and
basic HD research each year, breakthroughs in treatment - and a cure can
be forthcoming.

What are HD symptoms

Symptoms usually evolve slowly vary from person to person, even within the same family.
Some individuals may be affected first cognitively (depression, forgetfulness, impaired
judgment). Others suffer with motor skill impairment (dystonia or involuntary movements,
unsteady gait). Eventually, every person afflicted by HD requires full-time care.Domains affected include: cognitive, motor and behavioral. Members of the same family
may exhibit different symptoms. Some can show mild involuntary movements (chorea)
and have more emotional/behavioral symptoms of HD or can have less emotional/
behavioral symptoms with more difficulty with involuntary movements. Some HD Symptoms:Behavioral/emotional
  • Irritability
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Aggressive outbursts
  • Mood swings
  • Social withdrawal
Motor
  • Fidgety behavior
  • Uncoordination
  • Involuntary movements (chorea, dystonia)
  • Difficulties with speech, swallowing, balance, walking
Cognitive
  • Problems with short-term memory, organizing, coping, concentrating
Can you predict when you will get the disease?You must have inherited the gene to get the disease. Thought there may be some correlation between the number of times the CAG
(see the HDSA Glossary of Terms)  is repeated and the age of onset, it is impossible
to know exactly when the disease will begin to manifest itself. The higher the CAG
repeat, the more likely HD will strike at a younger age. Most individuals affected
by HD exhibit symptoms between the ages of 30 to 50 years of age. In rare cases,
children as young as two and individuals as old as 80 have exhibited symptoms
of HD.