Huntington's disease is caused by an inherited difference in a single gene. A person with an autosomal dominant disorder - in this case, the father - has a 50% chance of having an affected child with one altered gene (dominant gene) and a 50% chance of having an unaffected child with two typical genes (recessive genes). You need only one altered gene to be affected by this type of disorder. In an autosomal dominant disorder, the altered gene is a dominant gene located on one of the nonsex chromosomes (autosomes). Therefore, it's important to get a prompt, thorough diagnosis. The signs and symptoms of Huntington's disease can be caused by a number of different conditions. See your health care provider if you notice changes in your movements, emotional state or mental ability. Tremors or slight involuntary movements.Contracted and rigid muscles that affect gait (especially in young children).Rapid, significant drop in overall school performance.

Problems that often present early in the course of the disease include: Behavioral changes

The start and progression of Huntington's disease in younger people may be slightly different from that in adults. Symptoms of juvenile Huntington's disease In addition to the above disorders, weight loss is common in people with Huntington's disease, especially as the disease progresses. Bipolar disorder, a condition with alternating episodes of depression and mania.

Mania, which can cause elevated mood, overactivity, impulsive behavior and inflated self-esteem.Obsessive-compulsive disorder, a condition marked by recurrent, intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors.Other common psychiatric disorders include: Frequent thoughts of death, dying or suicide.Feelings of irritability, sadness or apathy.Instead, depression appears to occur because of injury to the brain and subsequent changes in brain function. This isn't simply a reaction to receiving a diagnosis of Huntington's disease. The most common psychiatric disorder associated with Huntington's disease is depression. Slowness in processing thoughts or ''finding'' words.Lack of awareness of one's own behaviors and abilities.Lack of impulse control that can result in outbursts, acting without thinking and sexual promiscuity.Lack of flexibility or the tendency to get stuck on a thought, behavior or action (perseveration).Difficulty organizing, prioritizing or focusing on tasks.Cognitive disordersĬognitive impairments often associated with Huntington's disease include: Impairments in voluntary movements - rather than involuntary movements - may have a greater impact on a person's ability to work, perform daily activities, communicate and remain independent. Muscle problems, such as rigidity or muscle contracture (dystonia).Involuntary jerking or writhing movements (chorea).The movement disorders associated with Huntington's disease can include both involuntary movement problems and impairments in voluntary movements, such as: Some symptoms appear more dominant or have a greater effect on functional ability, but that can change throughout the course of the disease. Which symptoms appear first varies greatly from person to person. Huntington's disease usually causes movement, cognitive and psychiatric disorders with a wide spectrum of signs and symptoms.

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