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The disease underlying this type of dementia has a known cause but no cure. The cause is a genetic defect at a known location, a single gene on the short arm of chromosome 4. Now that the human genome has been sequenced, a cure for Huntington's disease may be only a matter of time. The onset of symptoms may begin as early as age 4 or as late as 85, but most victims become symptomatic in their 30s or 40s. In the early stages the victim may gradually become anxious, irritable and depressed; in the later stages, memory loss and involuntary movements become more pronounced, and psychotic features may be present. Children of parents with Huntington's disease have a 50/50 chance of contracting the disease, and genetic testing is available for those who want it. If testing is undertaken, it is a good idea to consult with mental health professionals who are familiar with the disease and its progression and management before doing so. Here is a "news flash" that is so exciting that we're adding it to this page at the same time as to the news page: On November 29, 2000, French researchers published on their web
site, www.thelancet.com, results of the most promising research on
Huntington's disease to date. The course of the disease was reversed
in three of five patients given fetal cell brain implants. Although
the number of subjects was small and the results need to be
replicated and extended, this is the first ray of hope for
Huntington's patients. If this kind of therapy is shown to be
successful, it will remove any ambiguity about whether children of
people with Huntington's want to be tested to find out whether they
carry the Huntington's gene. Prevention of any overt symptoms could
become a possibility. Last updated 12/19/03 |
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