Huntington Disease

A member of the expanded polyglutamine (polyQ) repeat family of neurodegenerative disorders, Huntington disease (HD) is a rare, autosomal, dominantly inherited neuropsychiatric disorder. Characterized by midlife onset, HD exhibits progressive motor, behavioral, and cognitive changes. There is no effective treatment and death usually ensues 15 to 20 years after diagnosis. The expanded polyglutamine repeat causes multiple cellular dysfunctions to induce neurodegeneration. Many brain regions are affected in HD though striatal degeneration is particularly prominent. Widespread availability of specific genetic testing facilitates diagnosis. Management is largely supportive care.