Doctors’ Answers to “Frequently Asked Questions” – Huntington’s Disease
- These comments are made for the purpose of discussion and should NOT be used as recommendations for or against therapies or other treatments. An individual patient is always advised to consult their own physician.
Huntington’s DiseaseQuestion: What is the current treatment for Huntington’s Disease?
Answer: Unfortunately, there is no current treatment for Huntington’s Disease. Huntington’s Disease is an inherited disorder with onset of symptoms usually in mid-life. It is characterized by involuntary movement, a gait disturbance that is unpatterned and almost dance like, and psychiatric disturbances. It was initially described by George Huntington on Long Island, New York in 1872. It is thought by some to be a contributor to the Salem Witch Trails with its characteristic bizarre movements and psychiatric disturbances. There currently is a major effect to find the cause of Huntington’s Disease. The gene that “causes” the disease has been identified and current research is focused on the identification of the “products” that this gene contributes that result in the Disease.