The battle between Huntington online and the USA will be one of the most fierce battles in human history. It has been going on since before any of us were born, and it will continue to go on long after we are gone. Can You Get Huntington Disease from Shaking Hands? Huntington's Disease is a genetic disorder that can affect as many as 10,000 people in the United States and 300,000 people worldwide. The disease is caused by a mutation on chromosome 4 which produces an abnormal protein called huntingtin. The abnormal protein will clump together in cells and, over time, destroy nerve cells in areas of the brain and spinal cord that control movement and other functions. Scientists have been able to pinpoint specific regions of this protein that are responsible for its harmful effects on motor neurons, namely huntingtin's repetitious CAG sequence (a string of amino acids) that causes it to form into insoluble clumps inside cells. When they find a way to stop these clumps from forming or dissolving, the hope is that they may be able to slow down or stop HD.
Currently there are two drugs in clinical trials with promising results so far; one drug blocks formation of new huntingtin aggregates while another targets aggregates already present in cells. Other Ways to Spread HD HD was first discovered in 1872 and since then, it has been studied by scientists to better understand its causes and treatments. The public is often exposed to HD through the media, which can increase awareness of HD and other neurological diseases, but also heighten the general population's fear of such illnesses. As a result, many people believe that HD is a fatal illness that cannot be cured or even treated.
Although Huntington's disease cannot be cured at this time, there are several treatments available for managing symptoms so people can live longer with the disease and maintain as much independence as possible for as long as possible. Some medications, like rasagiline (Azilect) and selegiline (Eldepryl), may help delay progression of the disease. Other drugs may help manage specific problems caused by HD, like depression. Patients undergoing intensive care can benefit from an infusion called pentosan polysulfate sodium (PPS), which may stabilize nerve cells and delay progression of the disease; however, PPS is not approved for use in adults because clinical trials have not shown it to be effective enough when compared to other treatment options. In some cases, surgery may be recommended if severe pain from muscle spasms becomes too difficult to control with medication. Can HD be Cured or Treated? Huntington's Disease is a progressive disease that damages nerve cells in the brain and leads to uncontrolled movements, emotional problems, and loss of intellectual abilities. The most common treatment for HD is medication that slows down or stops symptoms from getting worse. There are also surgical treatments for HD, such as deep brain stimulation or physical therapy to help with muscle weakness. The first step towards a cure for HD may be finding out what causes it in the first place and why some people develop it while others don't. Research is currently being done to find out what causes this disease and how to stop it from progressing further before any more nerve cells are lost. How Is Huntington Disease Diagnosed? HD is a progressive, fatal genetic disorder that causes nerve cells in certain parts of the brain to gradually deteriorate.
The disease typically affects adults between ages 30-50, with symptoms including depression and mood swings, memory loss and difficulties with motor coordination. In more advanced stages, patients may experience difficulty walking or speaking and will eventually die from dementia caused by HD-related brain damage. Genetic testing is able to detect if someone has an HD gene mutation but cannot determine when they will start exhibiting symptoms of the disease or how severe those symptoms will be. Once diagnosed, there are still no treatments or cures for HD available today to either prevent or halt progression of its symptoms. What's Next for Huntington Disease Treatment Research? Huntington's is a genetic disorder that causes an individual to age prematurely and experience uncontrolled movements (chorea).
The only treatment for this disease is to prescribe medication to reduce the symptoms, but there are no drugs that can slow or stop the progression of Huntington's Disease. One day, there may be a cure for this disease, but in order to get there we need more funding for research and more awareness about this rare illness. Huntington's Disease is caused by an autosomal dominant inherited mutation on chromosome 4p16.3, which codes for a protein called huntingtin (HTT) that breaks down due to repetitive CAG repeats in its sequence. Can you Prevent HD by Maintaining Good Health Habits? Huntington's Disease is a genetic disorder that is characterized by an abnormal protein called huntingtin, which may build up in cells, leading to neurological problems. The HD gene is usually passed down through one parent and has a 50% chance of being inherited by children. About 30,000 people in the United States are living with HD today, but it's been estimated that as many as 250,000 individuals may be affected with either HD or pre-symptomatic HD over their lifetime. Huntington's Disease has no cure and no preventive measure besides maintaining good health habits such as eating well and being physically active.
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