Brain & Nervous System Alzheimer's Dementia & Related Cognitive Disorders What Is Huntington's Disease? By Esther Heerema, MSW facebook twitter linkedin Esther Heerema, MSW, shares practical tips gained from working with hundreds of people whose lives are touched by Alzheimer's disease and other kinds of dementia. Learn about our editorial process Esther Heerema, MSW Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD on November 10, 2019 Claudia Chaves, MD, is board-certified in cerebrovascular disease and neurology with a subspecialty certification in vascular neurology. She is an associate professor of neurology at Tufts Medical School and medical director of the Lahey Clinic Multiple Sclerosis Center in Lexington, Massachusetts. Learn about our Medical Review Board Claudia Chaves, MD Updated on April 13, 2020 Print Table of Contents View All Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Coping Prognosis Huntington’s disease (HD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that is passed on genetically from parent to child. Classic symptoms include uncontrollable movements in the face, trunk, arms, and legs, as well as problems thinking clearly, and mood changes, like anxiety, depression, and irritability. While Huntington’s disease cannot be cured or slowed down, certain symptoms can be managed with medication. Huntington's Disease Symptoms As many as 250,000 people in the United States have or will develop Huntington’s disease. Symptoms usually begin between the ages of 30 and 50, although juvenile HD targets individuals before the age of 20. The symptoms of Huntington's disease slowly get worse over time and tend to vary based on the disease stage: Early Stage Early symptoms of HD include: Difficulty learning new things or making decisionsProblems with drivingIrritability, mood swingsInvoluntary movement or twitchingCoordination challengesShort-term memory problems Middle Stage As Huntington’s disease progresses into the middle stage, the person has trouble with swallowing, speaking, walking, memory and concentrating on tasks. Weight loss and malnutrition is common. The classic writhing movements (chorea) of HD may become very pronounced and interfere significantly with daily functioning. The person may also develop some obsessive behaviors. Late Stage HD Late-stage Huntington’s disease symptoms consist of the inability to walk or talk. Full care from a caregiver is required. Instead of chorea, a person may have rigidity, slowed movements (called bradykinesia), and dystonia. People who have late-stage HD are at high risk for choking. Pneumonia is the most common reason for death related to Huntington's disease. Causes With Huntington's disease, a faulty gene (called the HTT gene) creates a mutant protein, which leads to the death of nerve cells in a person's brain. Nearly all cases of HD are hereditary, and the disease is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern. This means that if your father or mother has HD, you have a 50% chance of having the HD gene. If you inherit the faulty or altered HTT gene, you will most likely develop Huntington’s disease. However, if you don't, HD should not develop. The exception is rare cases where a de novo mutation occurs in the HD gene. In these instances, the disease cannot be traced to someone else in the family. Understanding How Genetic Disorders Are Inherited Diagnosis The diagnosis of Huntington’s disease begins with a medical history and is confirmed with a blood test to look for the HTT gene. Medical History In addition to inquiring about possible symptoms of Huntington's disease, your doctor will want to obtain a detailed family history. Sometimes old medical records or autopsy reports are needed to complete this. Genetic Blood Test If you are experiencing symptoms of HD or have a family member with the disease, your doctor can order a genetic test to look for the HTT gene. Prior to undergoing the test, it's important to speak to a genetic counselor—someone who can help you understand the potential test results. For instance, if the test is positive, your counselor can explain what that means for you and (if you have kids) your children's future health. Genetic Testing for Huntington's Disease Treatment There is no cure for Huntington’s disease, but medication and non-pharmacological therapies can be used to ease certain symptoms and improve a person's quality of life. Medications The symptoms of involuntary movements can be treated with Xenazine (tetrabenazine), the only drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for Huntington's disease. While effective, Xenazine is associated with potential adverse effects, such as: Restlessness (akathisia)DepressionDizzinessFatigueParkinsonism (movement features seen in Parkinson's disease) Other medications can also be used to treat HD's cognitive, behavioral, and emotional symptoms. For example, benzodiazepines may be used to treat anxiety and chorea in HD, while atypical antipsychotics such as Zyprexa (olanzapine) may be used to treat chorea accompanied by psychosis, aggression, or impulsivity. Rehabilitation Therapies Exercising—through formal methods like physical therapy and occupational therapy, and informal ones such as walking and daily chores—may help relieve symptoms. Seeing a nutritionist in order to prevent malnutrition is also useful, as is seeing a speech and language therapist for swallowing problems. Complementary Therapies Complementary therapies that may be beneficial for people with Huntington's disease include music therapy, dance, and playing video games. Treatment Options for Huntington's Disease Coping No doubt, there are numerous unique challenges to living with or caring for someone with Huntington's disease. Employing certain strategies can help you or your loved one navigate the path ahead. Finding Support It's normal to have many concerns if you or your loved one has been diagnosed with, or tested positive for, Huntington's disease. Knowing that there are many resources and support networks available can be helpful as you learn what to expect and how to cope. One excellent resource is the Huntington's Disease Society of America. Besides educational tools, this organization coordinates support groups throughout the country, both online and in person. These are not only for people with Huntington's, but also for caregivers, family members, or people at risk for the disease. Living Your Best Adopting healthy lifestyle habits can improve the quality of life, functioning, dignity, and comfort of a person living with Huntington's disease. Some of these healthy habits include: Setting an everyday routineUsing cues and prompts, like a phone alarm, to signal when a task (for example, taking a medication) needs to be completedMinimizing stressExercising dailyEngaging in enjoyable hobbies like listening to music or playing board gamesAvoiding alcohol and smoking Managing Mental Health Symptoms Compared to physical symptoms, like chorea, the psychiatric symptoms associated with Huntington's disease, like depression and anxiety, can be equally—if not more difficult—to cope with and manage. Prompt treatment of psychiatric symptoms is essential and may include a combination of medication and psychotherapy. Unfortunately, suicide is common in people with Huntington's. If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 to speak with a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911. Prognosis The prognosis of Huntington’s disease is poor at this time. The average life expectancy following diagnosis ranges from 10 to 20 years. A Word From Verywell Huntington's disease is an incurable, fatal condition. Despite distressing symptoms, be at ease knowing that you (or your loved one, if you are a caregiver) can still find joy and meaning—perhaps through support networks, spiritual growth, or through your day-to-day approach to life. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! When it comes to Alzheimer's, the MIND diet has shown promise in reducing risk and promoting brain health. Sign up for our Alzheimer’s and Dementia Newsletter and get your free recipe guide today. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Huntington’s Disease Society of America. (2019). Overview of Huntington’s Disease. Huntington’s Disease Society of America. (2019). Huntington's Disease Stages. Roos RA. Huntington's disease: a clinical review. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2010 Dec 20;5:40. doi:10.1186/1750-1172-5-40. Genetics Home Reference. (2019). Huntington's Disease. Updated November 12, 2019. Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center. Huntington disease. Frank S. Treatment of Huntington's Disease. Neurotherapeutics. 2014 Jan;11(1):153-60. Kocsis B. (June 2015). UC Davis Healthsystem: Challenging Behaviors in Huntington’s Disease: Strategies for Patients and Families. Additional Reading Coppen EM, Roos RA. Current Pharmacological Approaches to Reduce Chorea in Huntington's Disease. Drugs. 2017 Jan;77(1):29-46. doi:10.1007/s40265-016-0670-4. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. National Institute of Health. NINDS Huntington's Disease Information Page. Roos RA. Huntington's disease: a clinical review. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2010 Dec 20;5:40. doi:10.1186/1750-1172-5-40.