Health and Fitness Talk ? Huntington's Disease

by Kimberly Allen R.N.

Huntington?s Disease also called Huntington?s Chorea is an inherited?disorder that affects the nerve cells in the brain.? Unlike in many?other inherited disorders huntington?s disease is caused by an?autosomal ?dominant? gene mutation.? This means that instead of?needing 2 mutated genes you only need 1 mutated gene to develop?Huntington?s disease.? Huntinton?s disease is more prevelant in people?of Western Eurpean descent.

Close-up of neurons effected by Huntington's Disease

It is estimated by the Huntington?s?Society of America that 1 out of every 10,000 Americans has the?disease as well as 150,000 Americans that have a 50% chance of?developing the disease.? However some experts believe the numbers are?actually much higher because the disease usually doesn?t manifest?until mid adulthood there are many that not on have the disease but?are unaware of it yet, there are many of those that have had children?that have inherited the gene mutation and are unaware of it.? It?affects both men and women equally and caucasions are 70-100 times
more likely to develop Huntington?s disease than those of Asian or?African descent.
Though the exact mechanism of action is unknown, it is known that the?Huntington?s gene that is mutated causes a mutated form of the protein??huntintin?.? This mutation gradually causes damage to certain cells?in the brain.? These cells affect muscle coordination, cognitive?function and behavior.
The symptoms of Huntington?s disease usually present when a person is?between 40 ? 50 years of age, however they can develop earlier or?later.? Some have whats called juvenile Huntington?s disease, they?develop symptoms early usually before the age of 20.? Most experts say?that the earlier the onset of symptoms the faster the disease?progresses.? Early symptoms of Huntington?s disease varies?significantly from person to person.? In some people their family may?notice mood swings and changes in behavior like being more irritable,?depressed, apathetic or angry.? Some people may have hostile outbursts?or suffer bouts of deep depression.? In many people the disease firsts?manifests with uncontrolled movements in the fingers, face, trunk, and?feet that tend to increase with stress.? As the disease progresses it?causes difficulty with walking and can affect swalloing, eating and
speech.
There is no cure for Huntington?s disease, however there are?medications that can help control the symptoms including the
involuntary movements and psychiatric disorders.? There is also a new?medication available called tetrabenazine that is the first medication?approved for treating Huntington?s disease in the US.? It?s important?to remember that many of the medications used to treat the symptoms of?Huntington?s disease have side effects that are similar to those of the?disease so it can be difficult to determine if a symptom is part of?the disease or a side effect of medication.? One of the most important?components of any treatment plan for Huntington?s disease is??exercise?.? Those that maintain their physical fitness by including?exercise in their daily routine do better than those that don?t.
Nutrition is also a crusial part of caring for Huntington?s disease.?As medical science and treatments for Huntinton?s disease has advanced?so has the quality and length of life after the onset of symptoms.

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