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Huntington's disease: diagnosis and management.

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

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Article

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Authors

Mason, Sarah L 
Greenland, Julia C 
Holden, Simon T 
Santini, Helen 

Abstract

Huntington's disease (HD) is an inherited neurodegenerative disease characterised by neuropsychiatric symptoms, a movement disorder (most commonly choreiform) and progressive cognitive impairment. The diagnosis is usually confirmed through identification of an increased CAG repeat length in the huntingtin gene in a patient with clinical features of the condition. Though diagnosis is usually straightforward, unusual presentations can occur, and it can be difficult to know when someone has transitioned from being an asymptomatic carrier into the disease state. This has become increasingly important recently, with several putative disease-modifying therapies entering trials. A growing number of conditions can mimic HD, including rare genetic causes, which must be considered in the event of a negative HD genetic test. Patients are best managed in specialist multidisciplinary clinics, including when considering genetic testing. Current treatments are symptomatic, and largely directed at the chorea and neurobehavioural problems, although supporting trial evidence for these is often limited.

Description

Keywords

genetics, huntington-s, movement disorders, Chorea, Genetic Testing, Humans, Huntington Disease, Neurodegenerative Diseases

Journal Title

Pract Neurol

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1474-7758
1474-7766

Volume Title

Publisher

BMJ

Rights

All rights reserved
Sponsorship
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) (146281)
National Institute for Health and Care Research (IS-BRC-1215-20014)
Medical Research Council (MC_PC_17230)