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Huntington Disease

(Huntington's Disease; Huntington Chorea; Chronic Progressive Chorea; Hereditary Chorea)

By

Alex Rajput

, MD, University of Saskatchewan;


Eric Noyes

, MD, University of Saskatchewan

Reviewed/Revised Feb 2024
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Huntington disease is a hereditary disease that causes random, flowing movements that are involuntary and cannot be suppressed (called chorea Chorea, Athetosis, and Hemiballismus Chorea is characterized by random, flowing involuntary movements that cannot be suppressed. They start in one part of the body and move abruptly, unpredictably, and often continuously to another... read more ). Sometimes a muscle or a group of muscles jerk (called myoclonic jerks Myoclonus Myoclonus refers to quick, lightning-like jerks (contractions) of a muscle or a group of muscles. Myoclonus may occur normally (for example, jerking of a leg when a person is falling asleep)... read more ). The disorder progresses to more pronounced involuntary movements (sometimes writhing movements, called athetosis), mental deterioration, and death.

  • In Huntington disease, parts of the brain that help smooth and coordinate movements degenerate.

  • Movements become jerky and uncoordinated, and mental function, including self-control and memory, deteriorates.

  • Doctors base the diagnosis on symptoms, family history, imaging of the brain, and genetic testing.

  • Medications can help relieve the symptoms, but the disorder is progressive, ultimately ending in death.

Huntington disease affects about 3 of 100,000 people. The number of people affected varies depending on which part of the world they live in. It affects both sexes equally.

The gene for Huntington disease is dominant Non–X-Linked (Autosomal) Inheritance Genes are segments of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) that contain the code for a specific protein that functions in one or more types of cells in the body or code for functional RNA molecules.... read more . That is, having only one copy of the abnormal gene, inherited from one parent, is sufficient to cause the disease. Therefore, children of a person who has Huntington disease have a 50% chance of developing it.

Huntington disease is caused by gradual degeneration of parts of the basal ganglia called the caudate nucleus and putamen. The basal ganglia are collections of nerve cells located at the base of the cerebrum, deep within the brain. They help smooth out and coordinate movements.

Locating the Basal Ganglia

The basal ganglia are collections of nerve cells located deep within the brain. They include the following:

  • Caudate nucleus (a C-shaped structure that tapers to a thin tail)

  • Putamen

  • Globus pallidus (located next to the putamen)

  • Subthalamic nucleus

  • Substantia nigra

The basal ganglia help initiate and smooth out muscle movements, suppress involuntary movements, and coordinate changes in posture.

Locating the Basal Ganglia

Symptoms of Huntington Disease

Symptoms of Huntington disease usually develop subtly, typically beginning between the ages of 35 and 40 but sometimes before adulthood.

During the early stages of Huntington disease, the face, trunk, and limbs may move involuntarily and rapidly. At first, people can blend these abnormal involuntary movements into purposeful ones so that the abnormal movements are barely noticeable. However, with time, the movements become more obvious.

Muscles may contract briefly and rapidly, causing the arms or another body part to suddenly jerk, sometimes several times in a row.

People may walk in a lilting or exaggeratedly jaunty way, like a puppet. They may grimace, flick the limbs, and blink more often. Movements become uncoordinated and slow. Eventually, the entire body is affected, making walking, sitting still, eating, speaking, swallowing, and dressing extremely difficult.

Mental changes frequently occur before or as the abnormal movements develop. These changes are subtle at first. People may gradually become irritable, excitable, and agitated. They may lose interest in their usual activities. They may be unable to control their impulses, losing their temper, having fits of despondency, or becoming promiscuous.

As Huntington disease progresses, people may behave irresponsibly and often wander aimlessly. Over years, they lose their memory and their ability to think rationally. They may become severely depressed and attempt suicide. They may also become anxious or develop obsessive-compulsive disorder Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by obsessions, compulsions, or both. Obsessions are recurring, persistent, unwanted, anxiety-provoking, intrusive ideas, images, or urges. Compulsions... read more .

In advanced disease, dementia Dementia Dementia is a slow, progressive decline in mental function including memory, thinking, judgment, and the ability to learn. Typically, symptoms include memory loss, problems using language and... read more is severe, and people are confined to bed. Full-time assistance or nursing home care is needed. Death usually occurs 13 to 15 years after symptoms begin.

Diagnosis of Huntington Disease

  • A doctor's evaluation, confirmed by genetic testing

  • Computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging of the brain

Huntington disease may be difficult to recognize in the early stages because symptoms are subtle. The disease may be suspected based on symptoms and a family history. Doctors should be told about relatives who have had mental problems or have been diagnosed as having a neurologic disorder (such as Parkinson disease Parkinson Disease (PD) Parkinson disease is a slowly progressive degenerative disorder of specific areas of the brain. It is characterized by tremor when muscles are at rest (resting tremor), increased muscle tone... read more ) or a psychiatric disorder (such as schizophrenia Schizophrenia Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by loss of contact with reality (psychosis), hallucinations (usually, hearing voices), firmly held false beliefs (delusions), abnormal thinking... read more ) because they may have had Huntington disease that was not diagnosed.

Genetic testing is done to confirm the diagnosis. Genetic testing and counseling are important for people who have a family history of the disease but no symptoms because people are likely to have children before symptoms appear. For such people, genetic counseling should precede genetic testing. They are referred to centers that have expertise in dealing with the complex ethical and psychologic issues involved.

Genetic Testing for Huntington Disease

The genetic mutation that causes Huntington disease is located on chromosome 4. It involves repetition of a particular section of the genetic code in the DNA. The larger the number of repeats, the earlier symptoms start.

The gene for Huntington disease is dominant. Thus, having only one copy of the abnormal gene, inherited from one parent, is sufficient to cause the disease. Almost all people with the disease have only one copy of the abnormal gene. Children of such people have a 50% chance of inheriting the abnormal gene and thus the disease.

People who have a parent or grandparent with Huntington disease can find out whether they have inherited the gene for the disease by taking a genetic test. For the test, a blood sample is taken and analyzed. Such people may or may not want to know whether they have inherited the gene. This issue should be discussed with an expert in genetic counseling before genetic testing.

Treatment of Huntington Disease

  • Antipsychotic and other medications to relieve symptoms

As soon as possible after the diagnosis is made, people with Huntington disease should establish advance directives Advance Directives Health care advance directives are legal documents that communicate a person’s wishes about health care decisions in the event the person becomes incapable of making health care decisions. There... read more , indicating what kind of medical care they want at the end of life.

No cure exists for Huntington disease. However, certain medications may help lessen symptoms. Antipsychotic medications Antipsychotic drugs Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by loss of contact with reality (psychosis), hallucinations (usually, hearing voices), firmly held false beliefs (delusions), abnormal thinking... read more (such as chlorpromazine, haloperidol, risperidone, and olanzapine) may help people with depression and control any agitation. Medications that reduce the amount of dopamine (such as tetrabenazine, deutetrabenazine, and the antihypertensive reserpine), can help stop (suppress) the abnormal movements.

Doctors offer genetic counseling Genetic Counseling and Genetic Testing Before Pregnancy Genetic disorders are caused by abnormalities in one or more genes or chromosomes. Some genetic disorders are hereditary and others are spontaneous. Hereditary genetic disorders are passed down... read more and genetic testing to people who have parents or siblings with Huntington disease. Genetic counseling should be offered before genetic testing because the consequences of Huntington disease are so serious. Counseling is particularly important for women of childbearing age and men considering becoming fathers.

More Information

The following English-language resource may be useful. Please note that THE MANUAL is not responsible for the content of this resource.

  • Huntington disease: This web site describes Huntington disease and discusses what causes it and how it is inherited, as well as provides links to its diagnosis and treatment.

Drugs Mentioned In This Article

Generic Name Select Brand Names
Thorazine
Haldol, Haldol Decanoate
PERSERIS, Risperdal, Risperdal Consta, Risperdal M-Tab, Rykindo, UZEDY
Zyprexa, Zyprexa Intramuscular, Zyprexa Relprevv, Zyprexa Zydis
Xenazine
Austedo, Austedo XR
No brand name available
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