The Cognitive Changes Associated with Huntington's disease
How do the cognitive symptoms change as HD progresses?
As a general rule cognitive impairments tend to increase in severity as HD runs its course. However, only a few longitudinal studies have been done on the cognitive symptoms of HD, and thus, research has not determined whether the severity of a cognitive symptom can be used as a marker for the underlying progression of the disease.
Although the symptoms of HD vary significantly from person to person, there are some general trends among individuals. Speed of mental processing, organization, and initiation are commonly impaired early in HD and may worsen during the intermediate stages. While individuals with HD are often unable to speak or express their views in the later stages of HD, some cognitive abilities, such as the ability to understand incoming information, may remain relatively intact.
Last Modified: 1-28-04
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