Although a cure has not yet been found, there are medications available and lifestyle changes you can make to help delay the onset and progression of symptoms.
“The results of this trial suggest that the prevention or delay of Huntington's disease symptoms is feasible, that at-risk individuals can participate in clinical trials—even if they do not want to learn their genetic status—and that useful biomarkers can be developed to help assess therapeutic benefits,” said senior ...
In previous work with HD mice, Duan and her colleagues found that calorie restriction (reducing calories by about 30 percent through alternate day feeding) slowed the disease progression and extended lifespan.
“To date, there is no particular treatment that will actually prevent Huntington's disease or definitely slow down the progression,” Dr. Ross says. “Researchers have found that aerobic intensity can help improve motor function and improve fitness.
Prevention of Huntington's disease
Because Huntington's is a genetic disease, you can't do anything to prevent it if you have inherited it. If you have a history of Huntington's disease in your family, you may wish to have genetic counseling before having children of your own.
HD is caused by a mutation in the gene for a protein called huntingtin. The defect causes the building blocks of DNA called cytosine, adenine, and guanine (CAG) to repeat many more times than they normally do. Most people have fewer than 27 CAG repeats in their HD gene, so they are not at risk for the disease.
Huntington disease affects an estimated 3 to 7 per 100,000 people of European ancestry. The disorder appears to be less common in some other populations, including people of Japanese, Chinese, and African descent.
While the cause of the disease is known — a single mutated gene — there is no cure. “Our plan is to conduct human clinical trials that deliver stem cells to replace damaged brain cells, reducing levels of harmful proteins that build up in the brains of Huntington's disease patients.”
People can start to show the symptoms of Huntington's disease at almost any age. Most will develop problems between the ages of 30 and 50. The condition gradually gets worse for around 10-25 years, until the person dies.
While maintaining a well-balanced diet is important, adapting food choices can also make a big difference for people with Huntington's disease. “Changing the consistency of the diet may help in light of that dysphagia,” recommends Hopsecger.
Symptoms of Huntington's disease usually develop between ages 30 and 50, but they can appear as early as age 2 or as late as 80. The hallmark symptom of Huntington's disease is uncontrolled movement of the arms, legs, head, face and upper body.
Early Stage: In this stage patients can still perform most of their usual activities. They may still be working and may still be able to drive. Involuntary movements are mild and infrequent, speech is still clear, and dementia, if present at all, is mild.
The time from the first symptoms to death is often about 10 to 30 years.
Weight loss can make symptoms worse and weaken the patient's immune system, making them more vulnerable to infections and other complications. Huntington's disease itself is not usually fatal, but it can lead to choking, pneumonia, or other infections that can lead to death.
Although not directly related to HD, stress is nevertheless related to the progression of the disease because it adds to the neurodegeneration that is already taking place. Chronic stress can alter nerve cells, brain structure, and brain function.
Research studies have suggested that exercise is beneficial for reducing symptoms and maximizing function in persons with HD. Maintaining a healthy heart is important to the health of all persons, no matter their disability. Persons with HD should engage in aerobic activities ideally for at least 150 minutes a week.
Some authors define LoHD as after 50 years [3–5], but more recent studies define LoHD as onset after 60 years [6–10]. Between 4.4–11.5% of individuals with HD have an onset age of over 60 [8, 10, 11]. Reported presentation of LoHD varies, and the natural history and prognosis of LoHD remains unclear.
Early symptoms
The first symptoms of Huntington's disease often include: difficulty concentrating. memory lapses. depression – including low mood, a lack of interest in things, and feelings of hopelessness.
Nine patients have died, and seven have been lost to follow up. The range of disease duration was between 2 and 17 years, the oldest living to age 91.
Huntington's disease is a condition that stops parts of the brain working properly over time. It's passed on (inherited) from a person's parents. It gets gradually worse over time and is usually fatal after a period of up to 20 years.
This disease often affects a person's ability to plan, make decisions, and process complex topics. But patients usually retain past memories, and are able to recognize people, objects, letters, numbers, and colors. They are often able to continue carrying out jobs that they have previously been doing for many years.
Research at UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology has pioneered and trialled new biomarkers and drug candidates that can track and potentially halt the fatal progression of Huntington's disease.
Huntington's disease is currently found in many different countries and ethnic groups around the world. The highest frequencies of HD are found in Europe and countries of European origin, such as the United States and Australia. The lowest documented frequencies of HD are found in Africa, China, Japan, and Finland.
Conclusion The most primary cause of death in HD is aspiration pneumonia.