Chromosome 4

Famous Victims

One famous victim of Huntington's Disease was Michael J. Fox. He developed Huntington's Disease when he was only a child. He is now 49 and still living to this day. He has developed 2 other diseases that could possibly come with Huntington's Disease (Thalamotomy and Dyskinesia). He has done a campaign to raise money to find a cure.

The Average Age?

The average age for death is 49 (men) and 50 (women). Usually people start seeing symptoms at 40. If you do then you usually only have 10 years left.

The Causes of Huntington's Disease

Huntington's Disease is caused by a genetic mutation on chromosome 4. They can tell if you have it by if you have a CAG repeat. In a normal human CAG should repeat 10 to 35 times. People with Huntington's Disease have a CAG repeat abut 36 to 120 times. The larger repeat you have the more likely you are to develop symptoms at a younger age. If your parent has it you automatically have a 50 percent chance of getting it also. If you get it, then your children have a 50 percent chance also. If you do not have it, then you cannot pass it on to your children.

The Definition of Huntington's Disease

Huntington's Disease is an inherited disease which breaks down the nerve cells in your brain. This usually forms physical and mental disabilities. Usually, people develop the symptoms between 40 and 50 years old , but some show symptoms earlier in life.

Treatment

Although there is not a known cure for Huntington's Disease, there is a treatment. The treatment is meant to slow down the disease and lengthen your life. The treatment wants you to live the longest while functioning comfortably. Some of the drugs they give you help with they spaz attacks and the jerkiness (like tetrabenazine and amantadine). Some also go through intervention so they can adapt to the disease quicker. They usually go through 4 therapy's. Psychotherapy, Speech therapy, Physical therapy, and before the symptoms get worse you will need Ocuppational therapy. Since depression and thoughts of suicide are likely, most people take medication for that also. 24 hour supervision is eventually needed once the symptoms get worse.

How to Test Huntington's Disease

Doctors try to perform genetic linking mapping, to test for HD. Genetic linking mapping is the isolating of the gene that could possibly have HD on it. The chromosome would have C-A-G on it, repeated 3 time, if the person in question had HD. To look on the tip of chromosome 4, which is were the C-A-G would lay if the person had HD, doctors would use a genetic marker. Huntington's Disease can be in any organ of the body, but it is most commonly found in the brain.