Characteristics of Huntington's Disease

Huntington's disease is an incurable genetic disorder. It typically is diagnosed in middle age and affects muscle coordination and some cognitive functions. It is the most common genetic cause of involuntary writhing movements and is more prominent in people of Western European descent as opposed to people from Asia or Africa. Huntington's disease is caused by a dominant mutation on either of the two copies of a gene known as Huntingtin. Therefore, a parent with the disease has a 50 percent chance of passing it on to their offspring, regardless of whether the other parent carries the mutation. Symptoms of the disease vary, and can be physical, cognitive or personality-based.

Physical Symptoms

• These symptoms tend to be the more noticeable. The most notable one is usually chorea, meaning jerky, uncontrollable movements. Chorea can first appear as simple slowed motor skills, such as uncompleted motions, lack of coordination or restlessness. From there, it can progress to uncontrollable writhing motions, abnormal posturing or rigidity. These symptoms can cause sleep disturbances. Seizures may occur as the disease progresses.

Cognitive Symptoms

• Cognitive abilities become impaired as the disease progresses. Cognitive impairment can affect abstract thought, initiating appropriate actions and planning. Over time, these cognitive problems can lead to dementia, a serious loss of cognitive ability. That can bring on anxiety, depression and even an overall reduced display of emotions. Cognitive symptoms are harder to diagnose, as opposed to the physical symptoms of Huntington's disease.

Personality-Based Symptoms

• Once cognitive symptoms appear, personality-based symptoms are not far behind. A person may become hostile, display a depression-mania cycle, appear agitated, have increased social withdrawal and display obsessive-compulsive tendencies.