How
Huntington's Disease Affects Memory
Huntington’s disease is
a fatal disease that affects particular structures deep within the
brain, specifically the basil ganglia, and is characterized by involuntary
movements (chorea) and cognitive decline (dementia). In the United
States about 1 in every 10,000-20,000 people are diagnosed with
Huntington’s disease. People usually begin to show signs between
age 30 and 55. One of the first symptoms is memory decline, typically
appearing prior to any motor function symptoms. Some of the cognitive
symptoms of Huntington’s disease are:
- Declining short term and immediate memory
(long term memory typically stays in tact)
- Difficulty with numbers
- Poor reasoning and judgment
- Short attention span
- Difficulty with decision making and problem
solving
Some of these symptoms can be attributed
to various memory loss problems. However, because Huntington’s
disease is genetic and if your parents carry the gene you have a
fifty percent chance of inheriting it, you should make sure that
you are well informed on your family health history. As the disease
progresses the memory loss becomes more significant, as do the motor
problems. It is a degenerative disease that is painful and debilitating
to all who are affected by it. The earlier that Huntington’s
disease is diagnose, however, the more opportunity the patient has
to try and learn coping skills that will help them, and their loved
ones, to be prepared for the problems he or she will be facing.
If you feel that your memory loss may be the result of Huntington’s
disease contact your healthcare provider immediately. While there
is no way to stop or even slow the progression of Huntington’s
disease, the more that you know prior to its onset, the more prepared
you will be to handle how it will affect your life and the lives
of your loved ones.
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