Huntingtons Disease
biology research paper
definition of the disorder
The disease causes the brain to lose control over the arms, legs, and upper body because the nerves start decaying. It affects the upper body, arms and brain nerves. The symptoms start to appear between age 30-50.
description of the symptoms
There are alterations in mood, especially depression, anxiety, and uncharacteristic anger and irritability. It will also cause obsessive-compulsive behavior, which will make people ask the same question over and over again. A person will also develop a involarty jerking also called the huntington dance. People have a hard time holding objects, tend to lose motor skills.
causes of the disorder
Huntington disease is caused by a genetic defect on chromosome 4. The defect causes a part of DNA, called a CAG to repeat. And its a gene thats inherited though one or both of your parents.
Hows the disorder inhertited
Its located on chromosome 4. It is a dominant disease.In some cases a person with huntingtons may not have a parent with the disorder.
treatment
There is not a cure for the Huntington's disease but there are medication and treatment to help restrict the symptoms.
diagnosis
People can have a genetic screening to test for the gene if it is present in the family.
Who gets Huntington's
It's an autosomal dominant pattern. In order for a child to inherit Huntington's at least one parent has to have the disease. This means that everyone who inherits the faulty gene will eventually get the disease. There is about 30,000 people in the US with Huntington's. It effects men and women and all ethnics groups.
research
I learned that Huntington's is a really sad and stressful disease. And that children have a 50 percent chance of getting it. I also learned there is no cure.
Justin Fender's Huntington's disease
CBS Special on Huntington's Disease/Chris Furbee
resources
www.mayoclinic.org
ghr.nlm.nih.gov/.../huntingto..
www.helpguide.org/articles/alzheimers.../huntingtons-disease.htm