Huntington’s Disease (HD) is a hereditary neurological brain disorder that
slowly robs the affected individual of the ability to walk, talk, think and
reason.  HD affects over 30,000 Americans and places more than 200,000 “at-
risk” for developing the disorder.  In Northern California it is estimated at
least 1,000 individuals are affected with more than an additional 7,000 at risk.

Persons with HD develop symptoms which include slurred speech, unsteady
gait and handwriting, leading to uncontrollable body movements and
eventual loss of mental facilities. Personality changes and depression often
accompany the physical changes.

Every child of an affected parent has a 50% chance of inheriting the HD gene,
which is located on chromosome four.  Although it usually affects adults
between the ages 30 and 45, symptoms can appear in young children and
older adults.

The course of illness usually appears in three stages.  In the early stages of
the disease, manifestations include subtle changes in coordination,
sometimes minor involuntary movements, difficulty thinking and reasoning,
and often a depressed mood, anxiety or irritability.

In the middle stages, chorea movements may become more prominent.  
People start having difficulty swallowing and speaking clearly.

Late stage disease is characterized by immobility and requires major
assistance in all activities of daily living.

Currently there is no known cure for HD.  Current treatment is aimed only at
controlling the symptoms of the disease. However, amazing progress is
being made in the research fields of genetics and neurodegenerative
disorders.  Our scientists tell us that each day we grow closer to solving the
HD puzzle and the future has never been more promising.  With financial
support, the Huntington’s Disease Society of America can increase the pace
of HD research, fund more researchers and speed the identification of
effective therapies that will improve the lives of those affected by the disease.

It is important to remember that funding for this disease is actually funding for all neurological diseases including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.Because
HD is the farthest along in neurological disease in regards to finding a cure,
its research and successes directly benefit the progression of research in all
the neurological diseases.  Research is the only way we will ever find a cure
for HD.