2009-11-06 16:02:10 -

www.medicarefinance.com

Huntington's chorea or huntington's disease is a genetically linked disease that results in the degeneration of brain cells, called neurons, in certain areas of the brain. Loss of these neurons leads to uncontrolled movements, loss of intellectual faculties, and emotional disturbance.

Huntington's disease is a familial disease, passed from parent to child through a mutation in the normal gene. Every child

of a parent with Huntington's disease has a 50-50 chance of inheriting the HD gene. If a child does not inherit the HD gene, he or she will not develop the disease and cannot pass it to subsequent generations. A person who inherits the HD gene will sooner or later develop the disease.


Signs and Symptoms of Huntington's Chorea


There are a number of non-specific symptoms that may occur early in the disease. Some of these include mood swings, depression, irritability or trouble driving, learning new things, remembering a fact, or making a decision. Progression of the diseases is associated with difficulty concentrating on intellectual tasks. Difficulty feeding himself or herself and swallowing problems develop. Abnormal sinuous or choreoform movements develop in the extremities.

www.medicarefinance.com