My son just called and had me google this...Has anyone heard about this disease?? Does it fall into any Alzheimer category?? Is it part of Alz or is it in a corner by itself?? Some of the symptoms surely seem to fall under Alzheimer's, and the physical jerky movements may be similar to Parkinsons. Anyone familiar with this???
A relative suggested that my husband might have Huntington's Disease because he seemed too young for AD, but he has EOAD. It is a neurological disease, but I think it's genetic. So if you're wondering whether Audrey may actually have it, as opposed to AD, I think one of her parents would have had to have suffered from Huntington's in order for her to inherit it.
Audrey's mother had alzheimers, although I don't recall the doctor actually getting that diagnosis...he called it dementia, possibly from a heart attack or other heart problems. We all sort of assumed that she had alzheimer's..and I think I will look into getting the blood test for my kids....many of the symptoms are what my dw is having at times....but the pet scan says alzheimer;s...but not sure if they looked for huntingtons.
What I know of Huntington's is that it is due to a very specific gene, which lies in wait and "turns on" at a certain point, triggering the disease onset. I believe it's a lot more cut & dried from both a genetic and progression pov, than AD.
I am familiar with Huntingtons. Too familiar. My Dh 1st wife had Huntingtons. For a short time. She ended her life on her terms. Her father had it, her brother had it. Sadly, their two kids may have it. My Dh has a similar neuro degenertive disease, that now has manifested into dementia as his poor brain is being turned into swiss cheese and collapsing on itself. Emily is right. They are a family of inherited diseases that are found in the genes. They are both in the same "family" called CAG repeat disorders. There are similarites between Hereditary Ataxia, Parkinsons and Huntingtons. The researchers all look over each others shoulders, as it is possible a treatment for one could benefit all. If it is not in her family, Phranque, there is no concern for you. It is an old Neuro disease that has been studied forever, it does not spontanously arise in a family.
it is a horrendous disease that strikes in late 20's-early 30's. The jerky movements are called chorea. It will progress rapidly and robs both mind and body, leaving a shell alive for 20 years or so. Hiddeous. Suicide rate is very high after diagnosis. I sure don't blame them.
Huntington's Disease: It is passed down in a family and the gene can be easily identified in infants...and if i am not mistaken, it can be identified in embryo.
yes, there is now genetic testing. Dont know about embryonic testing. So you get an answer. Then what do you do? If it is negative..enjoy your life. If positive, what then? Do you as a parent ask for the test? The insurance issues alone for a child with the gene mutation...
I know my DH's daughter did not want to know. She was diagnosed with the disease my DH has, and may also have Huntingtons. She has been in a nursing home since she was 30.
One of those questions you may or may not want answered. IMHO, there are not many diseases out there worse than dementia/ahlzheimers. Huntingtons is one of them.
Yes, huntington's disease is passed down in a family. It is easily identified by gene testing. If you have the gene, you will get huntington's. We had a neighbor whose mother had it and he tested positive for it. His siblings didn't inherit the gene. Medication helped him for a while but when he started to get worse, he ended his life. He didn't want to live like his mother had. Years in a nursing home.