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Physiologic Mechanisms of Huntington's Disease

Huntington's disease is an inherited disorder that causes progressive disruption of nerve cells inside the brain. The disease's effects on the body's biological functioning (physiologic mechanisms) stem from these nerve cell disruptions.

  1. Identification

    • The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) reports that Huntington's disease results from genetically triggered nerve cell degeneration in two main areas of the brain: the basal ganglia deep within the brain and the cortex on the brain's outer surface.

    Basal Ganglia Damage

    • The basal ganglia consist of structures that control movement coordination. Particular ganglia structures damaged by Huntington's include the area called the striatum and sub-areas of the striatum, called the pallidum and the caudate nuclei.

    Cortex Damage

    • Nerves in the cortex damaged by Huntington's disease control memory, thought and perception, notes the NINDS.

    Cholesterol Disruption

    • Proteins linked to Huntington's disease seem to hinder proper cholesterol accumulation in the brain, reports MayoClinic.com. Normally, cholesterol helps facilitate brain cell health and communication, but disruptions in its actions can trigger problems with speech, motor skills and cognitive (thought) abilities.

    Considerations

    • Some cases of Huntington's disease may develop from noninherited changes in the Huntington's gene that occur during sperm development.

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