The Behavioral Changes Associated with Huntington's disease
Do behavior changes represent the onset of HD in an at-risk individual?
Behavioral changes do not necessarily represent the onset of HD. Behavioral symptoms tend to precede movement problems, and during the early stages of HD, they may be dismissed as being due to stress, lack of sleep or depression. However, other individuals with HD may suffer first from movement symptoms or have very few behavioral symptoms. In some instances, changes in behavior may not be related to HD at all. For example, depression often precedes the onset of other symptoms. Yet, depression is also common in the general population, so it is difficult to determine whether depression really represents the onset of HD in an at-risk individual.
Although changes in behavior should not be used to diagnose HD, one study found apathy to be highly correlated with duration of illness, suggesting that this behavior may be a way of marking the progression or onset of HD. Genetic testing is available for those who have HD in their family and would like to know whether or not they are at risk for inheriting HD. The only sure way to diagnose HD is to have a neurological examination. To learn about the inheritance of HD, click here. If you are interested in more information on genetic testing or neurological examinations, click here.
Last Modified: 1-01-03
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