[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/06\/what-is-huntingtons-disease\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/06\/what-is-huntingtons-disease\/","headline":"Finding Hope with Huntington’s Disease","name":"Finding Hope with Huntington’s Disease","description":"Work from the UPMC Huntington's Disease Center of Excellence offers hope that people with Huntington's Disease can live fuller, more independent lives. ","datePublished":"2016-06-01","dateModified":"2018-08-29","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/neurosurgery-regions","name":"Neurosurgery","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/neurosurgery-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/neurosurgery\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Huntingtons-Disease2.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Huntingtons-Disease2.jpg","height":351,"width":527},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/06\/what-is-huntingtons-disease\/","about":["Family Health","Neurosurgery and Brain Health"],"wordCount":745,"keywords":["brain disorders","Genetic Disorders","Huntington's Disease","Neurology"],"articleBody":"Huntington’s\u00a0disease\u00a0is a genetic brain disorder that over time deteriorates the body and mind.More than 30,000 people in the United States live with Huntington’s disease\u00a0\u2014 and many more are at risk of developing the condition. If those with the\u00a0disease survive long enough, they’ll lose the ability to perform everyday tasks.But work from\u00a0the UPMC Huntington’s Disease Center of Excellence offers hope that patients can live fuller, more independent lives.“At one point if people would get the diagnosis of Huntington’s, they were told to get a nursing home,” said\u00a0Valerie Suski, DO, director of the UPMC Huntington’s Disease Center of Excellence.“That’s not the case anymore. We can keep people at home. We can keep them as independent as possible.”What Is Huntington’s Disease?Huntington’s disease (HD)\u00a0is a progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain. Dr. Suski\u00a0said the condition broadly affects a person’s movement, thinking, and mental health.“It hits the three M’s \u2014 mood, movement, and memory,” Dr.\u00a0Suski said.Many people develop symptoms in their 30s or 40s, though the disease can occur at any time in someone’s life. The life expectancy of those with adult HD is about 20 years after symptoms begin.Causes of Huntington’s DiseaseHD is a genetic condition, caused by inherited mutations in the HTT gene.It is an autosomal dominant disorder. This means a person only needs to inherit one copy of the mutated gene to develop HD. If a parent has the defective gene, their child has a 50 percent chance of also inheriting it and developing the condition.Symptoms of Huntington’s DiseaseThe tell-tale sign of HD is uncontrolled movement \u2014 muscle spasms, fidgeting, and difficulty walking, for example. But the condition can also alter a person’s cognitive thinking and mood. Symptoms can include:Movement Issues:\u00a0Involuntary jerking, poor coordination, rigid muscles, abnormal gait, poor balance, and\/or difficulty speaking.Cognitive Issues:\u00a0Difficulty focusing, problems learning new information, \u00a0and\/or difficulty controlling emotions or impulses.Psychiatric Issues:\u00a0Feelings of depression or anxiety, fatigue, obsessive-compulsive thinking, irritability, aggression, and\/or increased suicidal thoughts.“We have a lot of people who will come in and say they were diagnosed with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, or someone thought they were drunk because they had poor balance,” Dr.\u00a0Suski said.Symptoms may vary and worsen as the disease progresses, and symptoms can vary in severity for different patients.Testing and DiagnosisYour neurologist will look at motor symptoms, like your reflexes, balance, and muscle strength. They may perform a series of tests to evaluate your mood, reasoning, and language. Brain-imaging tests, such as an MRI, can assess the function of your brain. They’ll also ask about your family history.If your symptoms are suspicious, your doctor will likely recommend a genetic test to see if you carry the mutated gene.Treating Your Huntington’s DiseaseThere is no cure, but medications and treatment can lessen some of the movement issues associated with the disorder \u2014 and help you lead a more independent life.Physical therapy can help improve your balance and coordination.Occupational therapy can help manage functional issues at home.Some people may experience speech and swallowing problems, which a speech therapist can address.Psychotherapy and medication can help manage psychological issues.The Huntington’s Disease Center of Excellence at UPMCThe UPMC Huntington’s Disease Center of Excellence is one of 39 programs across the country leading the way in HD treatment.This once-monthly clinic is staffed by specialists from multiple medical disciplines, all of whom have been trained in the treatment of HD. The program provides the comprehensive care people with HD need \u2014 all under one roof. Services include:Social work, including a seven-day-a-week helpline and support groups for patients and families.Psychiatry\u00a0to manage mood disorders.Genetic counseling\u00a0to assist patients pre and post-gene testing.Physical therapy\u00a0to address the physical limitations of the disease.Occupational therapy\u00a0to offer tools for better daily living.Speech therapy\u00a0to deal with speech and swallowing problems.Nutrition\u00a0to help patients manage weight loss and maintain strength.Clinical trials\u00a0on the local, national, and international level.The center collaborates with its counterparts across the country to stay at the forefront of treatment and research.“We’re all there for them, and we’re doing what we can to make the treatment cohesive,” Dr.\u00a0Suski said. “We’re all on the same page.” "},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2016","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"06","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/\/06\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Finding Hope with Huntington’s Disease","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/06\/what-is-huntingtons-disease\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]