Consider the following statements regarding the Huntington’s dis...
Researchers from the University of Szeged, in Hungary, have taken some important strides by studying fruit flies to understand more about the Huntington’s disease.
- It is a rare, inherited disease that causes the progressive breakdown (degeneration) of nerve cells in the brain.
- It has a wide impact on a person's functional abilities and usually results in movement, thinking (cognitive) and psychiatric disorders.
- There are two types of Huntington’s disease:
- Adult onset: This is the most common form. Symptoms usually begin after age 30.
- Early onset (juvenile Huntington’s disease): Early onset affects children and teenagers. It’s very rare. When Huntington's develops early, symptoms are somewhat different and the disease may progress faster.
- Cause
- A genetic change (mutation) of the HTT gene causes Huntington’s disease. The HTT gene makes a protein called huntingtin. This protein helps your nerve cells (neurons) function.
- The normal HTT gene contains a stretch of DNA that specifies the number of times the amino acid glutamine is repeated in the HTT protein. This number varies from 11 to 31.
- In the mutant versions of the HTT gene, this stretch is expanded to encode 35 or more repeats.
- As the number of repetitions increase, the severity of Huntington’s disease increases and its debilitation begins at an earlier age.
- Symptoms
- Huntington's disease usually causes movement, cognitive and psychiatric disorders with a wide spectrum of signs and symptoms.
- The patient suffers mood swings, has difficulty in reasoning, shows abnormal and uncontrollable jerky movements, and experiences difficulty in speaking, swallowing, and walking.
- Treatment: Medications are available to help manage the symptoms of Huntington's disease. But treatments can't prevent the physical, mental and behavioral decline associated with the condition.
Hence both statements are correct.
Consider the following statements regarding the Huntington’s dis...
1. Huntington's disease is a genetic disorder that affects the brain and leads to a progressive decline in cognitive and motor function.
2. The disease is caused by a mutation in the huntingtin gene, which results in the production of a toxic protein that damages nerve cells in the brain.
3. Symptoms of Huntington's disease typically appear in adulthood, usually between the ages of 30 and 50.
4. Early signs of the disease may include mood swings, irritability, and difficulty with coordination and movement.
5. As the disease progresses, individuals may experience involuntary movements, difficulty speaking and swallowing, and cognitive decline.
6. There is currently no cure for Huntington's disease, but there are treatments available to manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
7. Huntington's disease is an inherited condition, meaning it can be passed down from parent to child.
8. Genetic testing can be done to determine if someone carries the mutation for Huntington's disease, but many individuals choose not to undergo testing due to the lack of a cure.
9. The prevalence of Huntington's disease is relatively low, with an estimated 5 to 10 cases per 100,000 individuals worldwide.
10. Research into treatments and potential therapies for Huntington's disease is ongoing, with the hope of finding a cure in the future.
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