Huntington's disease
There's no cure for Huntington's disease. Its progress can't be reversed or slowed down, although this is the goal of many research projects.
Some of the features of Huntington's disease can be managed with medication and therapies, which may be coordinated by specialist teams.
Therapies, such as speech and language therapy and Occupational therapy , can help with communication and day-to-day living.
Regular exercise is also very important. People who are active tend to feel much better physically and mentally than those who don't exercise. Someone with Huntington's disease may have poor coordination, but walking independently, with the use of walking aids if necessary, can make all the difference.
However, it may sometimes be difficult to tell whether these are symptoms of the conditionor a result of the medication.
Antidepressants can helpimprove mood swings and treat depression . They include:
Side effects of antidepressants may include:
Mood stabilisers, particularly carbamazepine,may be considered as a treatment for irritability.Olanzapine can also help, along with sodium valproate and lamotrigine.
The dose of carbamazepine needs to be slowly increased and any side effects monitored. Carbamazepine can't be used duringpregnancy.
The medications listed below suppress the involuntary movements or chorea seen in Huntington's disease. In the UK, antipsychotic medicines are usually preferred.
Antipsychotic medication may also help control delusions and violent outbursts. However, they may have severe side effects, such as:
Due to the possibility of experiencing these side effects, the lowest possible dose of antipsychotics are normally prescribed in the first instance.
If you want to talk to someone about Huntington's disease, the Huntington's Disease Association has a team of advisers who can help.You can call their helpline on0151 331 5444, or their email address is info@hda.org.uk .
Huntington's disease is an inherited condition that damages certain nerve cells in the brain.
The symptoms of Huntington's disease can include psychiatric problems and difficulties with behaviour, feeding, communication and movement.
Huntington's disease is caused by a faulty gene that runs in families.
If you have symptoms of Huntington's disease, your GP will refer you to a neurologist. Genetic testing can confirm a diagnosis if necessary.
There's currently no cure for Huntington's disease, but medication, including antidepressants, can help manage some of the symptoms.
Help is available to assist people with Huntington's disease in their day-to-day living. This might include physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy.