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What is Huntington's Disease?
The Johnson Family of Woodland, CA has seen first hand the damage that
Huntington's Disease can do to a family.
Huntington's Disease can do to a family.
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.
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.
| HDSA Northern California 2860 Gateway Oaks Dr. #300 Sacramento, CA 958331 (916) 927-4400Telephone (916) 830-8015Fax plriley@sundt.comEmail |
What is HD?