What does huntington disease do to you

Not all people with Huntington's disease will experience the same behavioural problems, since the disease affects people differently. The severity of behavioural changes can range from mild and barely noticeable to enormously disruptive. The sections of the brain that help us to plan, organise and commence actions are affected by Huntington's disease. The person may appear lazy, because they will do nothing except, for example, lie in bed or watch television if left to their own devices.

Tasks have to be performed in a certain order. For example, washing the dishes requires filling the sink with hot water and detergent, cleaning the dishes, drying them and putting them away. A person with Huntington's disease can remember the parts of the task, but not the correct order.

They might fill the sink with hot water, but then put the dirty plates away without washing them. A person with Huntington's disease may seem more careless. For example, they may not clean the house properly or may fail to maintain their usual standards of personal hygiene. The awareness of social conventions may decrease, resulting in for example lewd or rude comments to others.

Some people with Huntington's disease become easily irritated or angered. Some people with Huntington's disease may come across as self-centred and selfish. As the disease progresses, the parts of the brain that help control the muscles of the face, throat and tongue are increasingly affected. This can cause the person to have considerable speech difficulties. The person may not initiate conversations either, as the sections of brain responsible for this are also impaired.

Individual and family support workers are employed in all regions to support people with Huntington's disease, those at risk and their families. Services include:. This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:. The characteristic features of Angelman syndrome are not always obvious at birth, but develop during childhood. Latest research suggests that most cancers are caused by environmental rather than genetic factors.

Folic acid taken before conception, and during at least the first four weeks of pregnancy, can prevent around seven out of 10 cases of neural tube defects. Cerebral palsy affects people in different ways some people experience minor motor skill problems, while others may be totally physically dependent. Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is the most common inherited disorder affecting the peripheral nervous system. Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional.

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Skip to main content. Neuromuscular system. Home Neuromuscular system. Huntington's disease. Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. Physical symptoms include: Mild twitching of the fingers and toes Lack of coordination and a tendency to knock things over Walking difficulties Dance-like or jerky movements of the arms or legs chorea Speech and swallowing difficulties. Cognitive symptoms include: Short-term memory loss Difficulties in concentrating and making plans.

Emotional symptoms include: Depression around one third of people with Huntington's disease experience depression Behavioural problems Mood swings, apathy and aggression.

Living with Huntington's disease can be very distressing and frustrating for the person with the condition, as well as their loved ones and carers. You may find The Huntington's Disease Association a useful source of information and support.

Page last reviewed: 29 March Next review due: 29 March It gets gradually worse over time and is usually fatal after a period of up to 20 years. Symptoms The symptoms usually start at 30 to 50 years of age, but can begin much earlier or later. Symptoms of Huntington's disease can include: difficulty concentrating and memory lapses depression stumbling and clumsiness involuntary jerking or fidgety movements of the limbs and body mood swings and personality changes problems swallowing , speaking and breathing difficulty moving Full-time nursing care is needed in the later stages of the condition.

How it's inherited Huntington's disease is caused by a faulty gene that results in parts of the brain becoming gradually damaged over time. When to get medical advice Speak to your GP for advice if: you're worried you might have symptoms of Huntington's disease — especially if someone in your family has or had it you have a history of the condition in your family and you want to find out if you will get it, too you have a history of the condition in your family and you're planning a pregnancy Your GP may refer you to a specialist for tests to check for Huntington's disease.

In people with Huntington disease, the CAG segment is repeated 36 to more than times. People with 36 to 39 CAG repeats may or may not develop the signs and symptoms of Huntington disease, while people with 40 or more repeats almost always develop the disorder.

An increase in the size of the CAG segment leads to the production of an abnormally long version of the huntingtin protein. The elongated protein is cut into smaller, toxic fragments that bind together and accumulate in neurons, disrupting the normal functions of these cells.

The dysfunction and eventual death of neurons in certain areas of the brain underlie the signs and symptoms of Huntington disease. This condition is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern , which means one copy of the altered gene in each cell is sufficient to cause the disorder. An affected person usually inherits the altered gene from one affected parent.

In rare cases, an individual with Huntington disease does not have a parent with the disorder. As the altered HTT gene is passed from one generation to the next, the size of the CAG trinucleotide repeat often increases in size. A larger number of repeats is usually associated with an earlier onset of signs and symptoms. This phenomenon is called anticipation. People with the adult-onset form of Huntington disease typically have 40 to 50 CAG repeats in the HTT gene, while people with the juvenile form of the disorder tend to have more than 60 CAG repeats.

Individuals who have 27 to 35 CAG repeats in the HTT gene do not develop Huntington disease, but they are at risk of having children who will develop the disorder. As the gene is passed from parent to child, the size of the CAG trinucleotide repeat may lengthen into the range associated with Huntington disease 36 repeats or more.

Genetics Home Reference has merged with MedlinePlus. Learn more. The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. Huntington disease. From Genetics Home Reference. Description Huntington disease is a progressive brain disorder that causes uncontrolled movements, emotional problems, and loss of thinking ability cognition.

Frequency Huntington disease affects an estimated 3 to 7 per , people of European ancestry.