Home > Neuroscience

About Huntington's Disease

Huntington's disease is an inherited disorder that causes certain cells in the brain to waste away. As a result it causes uncontrolled movements such as twitching, fidgeting, changes in gait (pattern of walking), memory loss, and changes in behavior. Symptoms of Huntington's disease usually appear between ages 30-50, but symptoms may start as young as 5 years or as old as 90 years. A person has a 50-50 chance of inheriting Huntington's disease from a parent who has it. As the disease progresses, problems with speech, swallowing and learning new information develop. In the later stages of the disease, people with Huntington's disease usually become bed-ridden and completely dependent upon others for their care. There is no cure for Huntington's disease.


Causes of Huntington's Disease

  • Huntington's disease is an inherited disease caused by a single abnormal gene
  • Huntington's disease is called an autosomal dominant disorder because only one copy of the abnormal gene inherited from either parent is enough to cause the disease


Incidence of Huntington's Disease

  • About 1 in 10,000 people in the United States has Huntington's Disease
  • Children have a 50% chance of inheriting Huntington's Disease from a parent who has the disease
  • All people who inherit the gene will eventually develop Huntington's Disease if they live long enough


Symptoms of Huntington's Disease

  • Uncontrolled movements (fidgeting or twitching)
  • Changes in gait (pattern of walking)
  • Loss of balance
  • Problems with speech and or swallowing
  • Loss of memory
  • Difficulty learning new information