Huntington's Disease--A Review

Huntington’s disease is degenerative and effects both cognitive and motor functioning, beginning in the 20s and continuing a decline for about two decades until death. In this disease, the huntingtin gene on chromosome four codes for an abnormally elongated repeating CAG polypeptide sequence. This mutation causes an atrophy in the brain that translates into decreasing control of movements and other aspects of cognition. To date, there is no cure for Huntington’s disease, but there are treatments for many symptoms that accompany the disease. Even still, there are promising new methods that may be more beneficial to patients in the future.