Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries: Huntington's Disease

Huntington's Disease

What is Huntington's disease?

Huntington's disease is a rare condition that causes parts of the brain to break down, or degenerate. It is also called Huntington's chorea. The disease causes rapid, jerky movements and dementia, the loss of mental abilities. The disease also causes personality changes, behavior problems, and memory loss. Symptoms of the disease usually develop after age 40. There is no known cure for the disease. Treatment with medicines may help control the involuntary movements and behavior changes.

Huntington's disease is caused by a changed, or mutated, gene. If you have a parent with the disease, you have a 50% chance of getting the changed gene and the disease. However, there is no way to know when you will develop Huntington's disease. Some people may pass on the changed gene to a child before knowing that they have the changed gene.

Is there any treatment?

Physicians prescribe a number of medications to help control emotional and movement problems associated with HD. Most drugs used to treat the symptoms of HD have side effects such as fatigue, restlessness, or hyperexcitability. It is extremely important for people with HD to maintain physical fitness as much as possible, as individuals who exercise and keep active tend to do better than those who do not.

• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
• Brain Aneurysm
• Huntington's Disease
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