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Huntington Disease |
Huntington disease (HD) is an inherited brain disorder that causes cells in specific parts of the brain to die.
Huntington disease is a genetic disorder. About one in every 10,000 Canadians has HD, but one in every 1,000 are touched by HD whether at risk, as a caregiver, family member or friend. The HD gene is dominant, which means that each child born to a parent with Huntington disease has a 50% chance of sharing the same fate.
The symptoms of HD include:
• emotional turmoil (depression, apathy, obsessive behaviour)
• mental loss (inability to focus, think and recall, make decisions)
• physical deterioration (weight loss, involuntary movements, diminished coordination, inability to walk, talk, swallow) |
Caregiver’s Handbook for Advanced-Stage Huntington Disease
Juvenile Huntington Disease: A Resource for Families, Health Professionals and Caregivers
Loss and Grief: Coping with the Death of a Loved One and with Other Losses Related to Huntington Disease |