Huntington's Disease

Understanding Huntington's Disease

Huntington’s is a hereditary disease affecting the areas in the brain which control movement, thinking and emotion. The onset of symptoms usually occurs between the ages of 30 and 50 and the disease progresses slowly over time.

Huntington’s is named after the American physician who initially described the inherited nature of the condition in 1872, and the genetic mutation responsible for huntington’s was discovered by scientists in 1993. 

Each child of a parent with huntington’s carries a 50 per cent risk of inheriting the gene. If they do not inherit the gene, they and their descendants will not be affected.

While there is no cure for huntington’s, treatment can ease symptoms and MSWA can play an important role in supporting you throughout your journey.

Our comprehensive range of services is designed to empower you to live life the way you want and not be bound by limits, whatever your goals may be. 

Symptoms of Huntington's Disease

Symptoms usually develop in progressive stages and can be classified as physical, cognitive, and emotional.  

Physical changes

The most identifiable physical symptom is called chorea, referring to rapid, involuntary movements of the fingers, limbs or facial muscles. Other symptoms may include: 

  • Stiffness
  • Loss of fine motor coordination, causing difficulties in activities such as writing
  • Changes in balance and co-ordination
  • Loss of control of bodily functions such as swallowing and speaking
  • Fatigue
  • Problems with speaking and swallowing

Cognitive changes

Cognitive symptoms are harder to notice as they mainly affect the way you think. Symptoms may include: 

  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Impaired thinking, planning and organization
  • Reduced short-term memory
  • Being impulsive or disinhibited
  • Fixating on certain thoughts, ideas or feeling
  • Difficulty communications
  • Difficulty learning new things

Emotional changes

Mental health issues can affect people with huntington’s disease. Symptoms may include: 

  • Personality changes
  • Loss of drive and initiative
  • Impulsiveness
  • Obsessive-compulsive behaviour
  • Irritability and aggression
  • Loss of empathy
  • Changes in personal hygiene

Living with Huntington's/What happens next?

Whether you've been diagnosed with huntington's disease recently or sometime in the past, MSWA is here to provide you with vital support and services throughout your neurological condition journey. Your wellbeing, safety and comfort is top priority – we offer flexible services via phone or video call, in a safe way in your home and/or in a safe way in our Centres. 

The range of services we offer include counselling, dietetics, nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech pathology, in-home care and social welfare. 

Contact us

For more information to see how we can best help you and to contact us, visit our Get Support page.

Alternatively, call us on 1300 097 989 (metropolitan WA) or 1800 287 367 (regional WA).

Additional resources and support

Please see below for some resources you may find useful: 

 

Other sources to reference:

Information on this webpage was partly obtained from the below official resources.