Huntington's Disease

Huntington's Disease

Huntington's Disease is a degenerative brain disorder that affects an idividuals ability to walk, talk, reason, and think. Eventually, an individual with Huntington's becomes completely dependent upon others for their care.
Huntington's Disease was discovered in the late 1800's by Dr. George Huntington. During a presentation that he made on Chorea at the Cleveland Clinic, he made the first mention of an inherited disorder charecterized by loss of cognition and clumsiness. Later, he published his findings; they were the first mention of Huntington's Disease, which is why the disease bears his name.
Huntington's symptoms include depression, forgetfulness, clumsiness, tics, loss of coordination, and mood swings. As it progresses, short-term memory and concentration abilities decrease and involuntary movement of the limbs, head, and trunk increase. Talking, walking, and swallowing abilities decrease, and more stiffness. Usually, death is a res...