Written By Rhyana Mahatsente
Basics about Huntington’s
Huntington’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that is a genetically inherited disease. Huntington’s disease affects people both physically and cognitively resulting in a compromised lifestyle. Huntington’s Disease can remain undetected and then prevail through a person's middle ages, however juvenile Huntington's disease lingers as well and comes with a varied set of symptoms. While there is medication available to ease symptoms of this disorder, it cannot be cured. Recent research of the disorder is currently involving the use of neuroimaging to track disease effects to brain regions as well as monitoring clinical trials to ease the pace that Huntington’s affects the brain. This research gives hope to patients aspiring for a future cure or preventative measure to prevent and cure this disease.
Roots of the disorder
The root of Huntington’s Disease lies truly in a genetic mutation spread from parent to child. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke the gene responsible for the mutation leading to Huntington’s disease is the gene controlling the protein huntingtin. This results in a repetition of certain nucleotides, such as adenine, cytosine, thymine and guanine. As the brain is a very intricate organ, it is very sensitive to mutations meaning small changes result in large scale problems.
Symptoms of Huntington’s
While there is no available cure for Huntington’s, symptoms can be distinguished between cognitive and motor/physical symptoms. Symptoms include involuntary muscle movements, abnormal eye movements, difficulty organizing information, and uncontrollable eye movements. While these symptoms can help detect Huntington’s, a blood test can be used to determine Huntington's and differentiate it from other similar disorders.
Treatment
While there is currently no available way to cure Huntington's Disease, medications that ease symptoms are available. Medications include medications for chorea such as tetrabenazine and deutetrabenazine. Hallucinations associated with Huntington's Disease can be treated with Antipsychotics.
Conclusion
Huntington’s as we have learned is a complex disorder affecting a person through their genealogy and spreading through families. The heart of the disorder lies in a mutation in the gene controlling huntingtin protein production. Eye problems can be a symptom in this disease and it can linger as a person ages, suddenly striking in your middle ages; however Huntington's follows no age barriers as we have concluded due to the presence of Juvenile Huntington's. Treatments are available, moreover research is currently taking place into the potential weakening of other symptoms and early detection. As Huntington’s is a disorder that affects several sectors of life, a cure or better insight into prevention is revolutionary.
Rhyana Mahatsente is a 15-year-old from Alabama, and the Alabama Youth4Neuro Executive President and Founder of this Alabama Branch (sub-branch of Youth4Neuro).
Sources:
“Huntington’s Disease.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 17 May 2022, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/huntingtons-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20356117.
“About Huntington’s Disease.” Genome.Gov, www.genome.gov/Genetic-Disorders/Huntingtons-Disease. Accessed 18 Aug. 2023.
“Huntington’s Disease.” National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/huntingtons-disease. Accessed 18 Aug. 2023.
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