Research in Progress

Cognitive, Emotional, and Rehabilitative Aspects of HD

Changes in Sexual Behavior Accompanying HD

People with HD suffer from movement, cognitive (thinking), and psychiatric disorders, which may affect behavior during the course of the disease. The emergence of chorea (involuntary movements), loss of muscle flexibility, mood fluctuation, depression, irritability, apathy, obsessions, and social withdrawal are usually accompanied by decreased sexual desire. However, some HD sufferers may try to engage in excessive sexual activity or inappropriate sexual behavior. For more information on altered sexuality, click here.

In the event that a man with HD experiences a heightened sexual drive, his partner may become frightened of him because, due to the unpredictable effect of HD on his behavior, he might become aggressive if his sexual demands are not met. People with HD and their partners should be able to discuss this matter with their doctors or therapists. Antiandrogenic therapy, which inhibits the substances that produce the male hormone testosterone, may work in some cases, as can counseling.

It is often difficult to distinguish between neurological and cognitive changes over the course of HD because they are so intertwined and take place simultaneously. Cognitive changes that lead to behavioral changes (for example, changes in sexual behavior) are the result of changes in the nerve cells. As the nerve cells degenerate, cognitive symptoms begin to appear: difficulties with memory, verbal communication, problem solving, judgment, as well as visual spatial impairment, awareness, and organization.

To learn more about cognitive changes, please click here. Also, look for more about mental changes in an upcoming section on depression and HD. To learn more about the behavioral changes that occur during the course of the disease, please click here.

Last Modified: 04/12/2007

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