How possible is it that a cure will be found?

Currently there is no cure for Huntington's, but scientists are working on finding one. The technique that is being pursued is figuring out how brain cells die. As soon as this is done, it is thought that they can block, or neutralize the rogue protein that is made by the defective gene. The other method is based off this in figuring out a way to save the dying cells.



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Works Cited

There is HOPE for a cure..." Cure HD. 7 Mar. 2009 http://www.curehd.org/cure.htm.

http://www.barchester.com/barchester/assets/images/specialist_huntingtons.jpg

Organizations:

Huntington's Disease Society of America:http://www.hdsa.org/


The Hereditary Disease Foundation:http://www.hdfoundation.org/home.php


International Huntingtons Association:http://www.huntington-assoc.com/


For more links, you can visit the Huntington's Disease Advocacy Center's website-

http://www.hdac.org/links/

http://www.uihealthcare.com/depts/huntingtonsdisease/images/huntingtonsmap.jpg

Quality of Life/ Limitations

The quality of life when a person is affected with Huntington's changes the way you are able to spend your time. It affects the social aspects of your life, the communication, the pain endured, and unstable mental state. This isnt only limited to the patient but to the partner, caregiver, or family. Some will not be as affected as others, it all depends on the person and the stages you are at in the disease as to what your limitations and opportunites will be. For instance if one was very active in sports, after you have been diagnosed you will not be as able to be active and mobile. You will be forced to rely on other people, and tolerate pain and increased injuries.


A quote from Marsha L. Miller, Ph.D. about this:
"The difference in partner and patient perceptions may have real consequences for quality of life. If a caregiver perceives a partner as more impaired than is objectively the case, that caregiver may inadvertently push the patient farther into the sick role than he or she needs to be, possibly resulting in social isolation, loss of vitality, and lost earnings. If a patient perceives himself to be less impaired than he is objectively, he may drive or engage in other activities when it isn't safe, become alienated from friends and family over meaningless quarrels. He may persist in working at a job he can no longer adequately perform and risk being fired when he could have retained benefits by going out on disability. "






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Works Cited

http://hdlighthouse.org/treatment-care/care/managinghd/updates/1450caregiving.php

http://www.netterimages.com/images/vpv/000/000/012/12140-0550x0475.jpg

How Can The Disease Be Treated?

Huntington's does not have a cure,but however, can be treated. The symptoms can be lessened to make life less difficult. "Drugs can be used to prevent the involuntary movements and control the mood swings and depression, while in later stages of the disease speech therapy is useful both to improve speech and facilitate swallowing." A proper diet preventing weight loss may also help other symptoms as well.






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Works Cited

http://genome.wellcome.ac.uk/doc_wtd020863.html

Life Expectancy

The average life expectancy of the patient after they are diagnosed with Huntington's is about 15 years. The symptoms usually appear between the age of 30-50.

http://www.huntingtonssa.org/images/montage1.jpg

What Are The Physical Symptoms of The Disease?

Early Symptoms include, mild tremors, clumsiness, irritability along with lack of concentration, trouble remembering things, mood swings as well as depression, aggressive antisocial behaviors.

As time goes the symptoms become progressively worse.

"Physical symptoms include chorea (involuntary movements of the limbs, face and body). Chorea may lead to difficulty walking, speaking and swallowing." Loss of weight is usually caused from this since it makes it difficult to eat and the burning of calories from movement.



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Works Cited



http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/huntingtons_disease.html

How Is The Disease Diagnosed?

A person with a family history of Huntington's that starts to show symptoms, is usually diagnosed with a physical and neuralogical exam. A blood test is also used to determine if the genetic disorder is present. Prenatal testing may be used as well.





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Works Cited

http://neurology.health-cares.net/huntingtons-disease-diagnosis.php