Huntington’s disease is a rare fatal brain disorder caused by inherited changes in a single gene. These changes lead to destruction of nerve cells in certain brain regions.

Scientists identified the gene in 1993. Anyone with a parent with Huntington’s has a 50 percent chance of inheriting the gene, and everyone who inherits it will eventually develop the disorder. In about 1 to 3 percent of cases, no history of the disease can be found in other family members.

Symptoms of Huntington’s

• Involuntary movements such as twitches and muscle spasms.
  
  
• Problems with balance and coordination.
  
  
• Personality changes such as irritability, depression and mood swings.
  
  
• Trouble with memory, concentration or making decisions.
  
  
• Age of symptom onset and rate of disease progression varies from person to person.

Treatment of Huntington’s

There is currently no cure for Huntington’s, but research on potential treatments is accelerating since scientists identified the gene involved. In 2008, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved tetrabenazine (Xenazine™) as the first drug specifically approved in the United States to treat the involuntary movements (chorea) associated with Huntington's. Doctors also sometimes prescribe other drugs to manage symptoms.