The Cognitive Changes Associated with Huntington's disease
What causes the cognitive symptoms?
As a neurodegenerative disease, HD damages many neurons and neural connections within the brain, potentially causing cognitive impairment. Most of the damage occurs in the caudate nucleus and putamen, which are structures of the basal ganglia. To learn more about these brain structures, click here. The primary function of the caudate is the regulation and organization of information being transmitted to the frontal lobes from other areas of the brain. The frontal lobes are responsible for many important tasks, some of which are:
Organizing
Prioritizing
Controlling impulses
Self-awareness
Initiating and ending activities
Thus, damage to the many connections between the caudate and frontal lobes can significantly impair cognitive abilities, such as reasoning, planning, attention, memory, and learning. To read about neurons and neural connections, click here.
The neurodegenerative changes that occur within the brain of a person who has HD are generally the primary cause of the cognitive symptoms of HD, as well as behavioral changes and movement difficulties. An individual suffering from the cognitive symptoms of HD may have difficulty effectively prioritizing his or her daily activities, initiating conversation or activities, recalling memories or making decisions. However, it is important to remember that the cognitive as well as behavioral and physical symptoms of HD vary from person to person. To learn about the behavioral symptoms of HD, click here.
Last Modified: 1-28-04
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