Treatment:

There is no cure for Huntington's disease, and there is no known way to stop the disease from getting worse. The goal of treatment is to slow down the symptoms and help the person function for as long and as comfortably as possible.

Medications vary depending on the symptoms.

• Dopamine blockers may help reduce abnormal behaviors and movements.
• Drugs such as amantadine and tetrabenazine are used to try to control extra movements.
• There has been some evidence to suggest that co-enzyme Q10 may also help slow down the course of the disease, but it is not conclusive.

Depression and suicide are common among persons with Huntington's disease. It is important for all those who care for a person with Huntington's disease to monitor for symptoms and treat accordingly.

As the disease progresses, the person will need assistance and supervision, and may eventually need 24-hour care.

Support Groups:

Huntington's Disease Society of America - www.hdsa.org

Expectations (prognosis):

Huntington's disease causes disability that gets worse over time. Persons with this disease usually die within 15 to 20 years. The cause of death is often infection, although suicide is also common.

It is important to realize that the disease affects everyone differently. The number of CAG repeats may determine the severity of symptoms. Persons with few repeats may have mild abnormal movements later in life and slow disease progression, while those with a large number of repeats may be severely affected at a young age.

Complications:

• Loss of ability to care for self
• Loss of ability to interact
• Injury to self or others
• Increased risk of infection
• Depression
• Death

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you develop symptoms of this disorder.