What are the short term effect from the Huntington disease?

Answer 1

Properly known as Huntington's Disease, it is a fatal genetically transmitted condition that causes deterioration of the central nervous system, including changes in the structure of the nerve cells in the brain (known as spiky neurons). The symptoms are gradual worsening of muscle control, both voluntary and involuntary. Persons may have trouble walking without staggering, lose their balance, stumble, have slurred speech. Impaired ability to swallow is common. The disease also has an emotional component- personality changes that include rapid severe mood swings, irrational angry outbursts, etc. For more information, please visit the website for the Huntington's Disease Society of America.

Answer 2

Early motor symptoms include restlessness, twitching and a desire to move about. Handwriting may become less controlled, and coordination may decline. Later symptoms include:

* dystonia, or sustained abnormal postures, including facial grimaces, a twisted neck, or an arched back

* chorea, in which involuntary jerking, twisting or writhing motions become pronounced

* slowness of voluntary movements, inability to regulate the speed or force of movements, inability to initiate movement and slowed reactions

* difficulty speaking and swallowing due to involvement of the throat muscles

* localized or generalized weakness and impaired balance ability

* rigidity, especially in late-stage disease

Personality and behavioral changes include depression, irritability, anxiety and apathy. The person with HD may become impulsive, aggressive or socially withdrawn.

Cognitive changes include loss of ability to plan and execute routine tasks, slowed thought, and impaired or inappropriate judgment. Short-term memory loss usually occurs, although long-term memory is usually not affected. The person with late-stage HD usually retains knowledge of his environment and recognizes family members or other loved ones, despite severe cognitive decline.

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