Huntington's Disease

Huntington's Disease Synopsis

Huntington's disease is a genetically inherited condition which results in severe nerve-cell damage in the brain. The hereditary and debilitative nature of the disease means that many people are involved either directly or indirectly by this condition. The recent identification of the faulty gene involved has made the diagnosis of this condition simpler.

The majority of people develop the disease between the ages of 35 and 55 years, so for those aware of their genetic risk there are dilemmas to consider - should you have a test to see if you have the gene? Should you start a family? The new edition of this successful book specifically designed for families of patients with Huntington's disease has been expanded to include a number of important new developments in research and clinical practice that have occurred in the field in recent years.

While there are no drugs currently available that slow down or reverse the neurodegenerative process in Huntington's Disease, there is growing data on the use of existing treatments to manage movement disorder, irritability and depression associated with the condition, which are covered here. This edition also includes completely new chapters covering juvenile Huntington's disease and late-stage Huntington's disease, and a fully updated Appendix of relevant patients' organizations.