Journal of Psychology and Cognition

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Commentary - Journal of Psychology and Cognition (2023) Volume 8, Issue 2

Understanding the genetic, neurological, and psychological impact of Huntington's disease.

Noah Williams*

Department of Neurodegenerative disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK

*Corresponding Author:
Noah Williams
Department of Neurodegenerative disease
UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
E-mail: Noahwilliams@gmail.com

Received: 24-Jan-2023, Manuscript No. AAJPC-23-88044; Editor assigned: 25-Jan-2023; PreQC NO. AAJPC-23-88044 (PQ); Reviewed: 08-Feb-2023, QC No. AAJPC-23-88044; Revised: 13-Feb-2023, Manuscript No. AAJPC-23-88044 (R); Published: 20-Feb-2023, DOI: 10.35841/aajpc-8.2.166

Citation: Williams N. Understanding the genetic, neurological, and psychological impact of Huntington’s disease. J Psychol Cognition. 2023;8(2):166

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Abstract

Huntington's disease is a rare, inherited disorder that affects the brain and nervous system. It is characterized by progressive deterioration of muscle coordination and cognitive abilities, which can lead to severe disability and death. The disease is caused by a genetic mutation on chromosome 4, which leads to the production of an abnormal protein called Huntington that accumulates in the brain, ultimately leading to the death of nerve cells. Symptoms of Huntington’s disease typically develop gradually and can include: movement problems such as jerky, involuntary movements (chorea), cognitive decline, including difficulty with problem-solving, memory, and planning, behavioral and psychiatric symptoms such as depression, irritability, and impulsiveness, difficulty speaking or swallowing, loss of coordination and balance, fatigue, weight loss, changes in mood or personality.

Keywords

Huntington's disease, Fatigue, Weight loss, Cognitive decline.

Introduction

Symptoms of Huntington’s disease typically appear in the prime of life, between the ages of 30 and 50, and worsen over time. Early signs of the disease include subtle changes in mood, personality, and movement. As the disease progresses, individuals may experience a decline in cognitive function, such as difficulty with memory and decision-making, as well as worsening movement problems, including involuntary movements and difficulty with coordination and balance. Huntington's disease can have a significant psychological impact on those affected by it. Some of the psychological effects of Huntington’s disease include: Depression: Many people with Huntington’s disease experience depression, which can be caused by the physical symptoms of the disease and the emotional impact of the diagnosis, anxiety: Anxiety and fear can be a common reaction to the uncertainty and unpredictability of Huntington’s disease, cognitive decline: cognitive decline can make it difficult for people with Huntington’s disease to process information, make decisions, and perform daily tasks, behavioral and psychiatric symptoms: Behavioral symptoms such as irritability, impulsiveness, and aggression can be present in Huntington’s disease, as well as psychiatric symptoms such as depression and paranoia, emotional strain [1,2].

Caring for a loved one with Huntington’s disease can be emotionally taxing and can lead to feelings of exhaustion, isolation, and helplessness, grief and mourning: The progressive nature of Huntington’s disease can cause feelings of loss and grief as the person's abilities and independence decrease. Huntington's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects the brain. The neurological impact of Huntington’s disease can include: Movement problems: The most well-known symptom of Huntington’s disease is chorea, which is characterized by involuntary, jerky movements. As the disease progresses, these movements can become more pronounced and can affect balance and coordination, difficulty speaking or swallowing: As the disease progresses, it can become difficult for people with Huntington’s disease to speak clearly or swallow food and liquids safely, loss of brain cells: Huntington’s disease causes the death of nerve cells in specific areas of the brain, which can lead to the symptoms described above, progressive nature [3,4].

The disease is progressive, meaning that symptoms will worsen over time. The risk of developing Huntington’s disease is dependent on an individual's family history. If a person's parent has the disease, they have a 50% chance of inheriting the genetic mutation. Genetic testing is available for individuals who are at risk of developing the disease, and can confirm the diagnosis. Currently, there is no cure for Huntington’s disease. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms, and can include medications to control movement problems and psychiatric symptoms, as well as physical and occupational therapy to help maintain function and independence. Huntington's disease not only affects the individual diagnosed with the condition, but also their loved ones and caregivers. The progressive nature of the disease can be emotionally and financially taxing for families, and support groups and counselling can be helpful in coping with the challenges of the disease [5].

Conclusion

In conclusion, Huntington’s disease is a rare, inherited disorder that affects the brain and nervous system. It is characterized by progressive deterioration of muscle coordination and cognitive abilities and caused by a genetic mutation. There is no cure for this disease, but treatment focuses on managing symptoms and support groups and counselling can be helpful in coping with the challenges of the disease. It's important for individuals with a family history of Huntington’s disease to seek genetic counselling and consider genetic testing. Advances in research may bring new treatments and therapies that can improve the quality of life for those affected by this devastating disease.

References

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