The Cognitive Changes Associated with Huntington's disease
Do the cognitive symptoms of HD vary from person to person?
The expression of HD varies significantly from person to person. Although HD is a progressive disease for affected individuals, there is considerable variation in the type and severity of symptoms a person with HD may experience. Some individuals may experience a number of cognitive and behavioral symptoms and fewer physical symptoms, whereas others may suffer more from physical symptoms, such as chorea. The variation in severity means that while some of the cognitive symptoms may be quite pronounced for one person, those particular symptoms may be much less evident in another.
Due to the variation in the type and severity of cognitive symptoms, it may not be useful to use them as an indicator for the onset of HD in an at-risk individual or to diagnose the individual with the disease. Many of the early cognitive symptoms of HD, such as forgetfulness, lack or initiation or fumbling are also fairly common among individuals who are not at risk for HD. “Symptom watching” by individuals at risk for HD may result in a misinterpretation of these thoughts, actions or behaviors as HD. Genetic counselors may be contacted if symptom-watching or anxiety due to being at-risk for HD begins to interfere with one’s ability to function effectively.
Last Modified: 1-28-04
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