Huntington Disease
Huntington disease or at times Chronic Progressive Chorea is a non sex linked type of disease .The disease was identified lately in1993.Th disease mainly affects the brain tissues that are responsible for transmission of impulses. These are the neuron tissues. The disease usually moderate during the patients early age and relentless in the middle aged people .The neuron cells are decayed by the disease thus reducing the manner in which the person responds towards various stimuli. The disease is inherited from the parent if the parent is dominant of the gene that causes the disease ( Quarrell, 207).
Cause of the disease
The disease is inherited from the parent to the offspring .However, if the parents do not have the dominant allele for the disease HD, there are no chances of a child getting the disease from the parent .In a case where the parent has the gene allele for the disease, the probability of the disease to be passed on to the children is a half .The ailment does not have intermediates such as carriers .This I s because the gene that causes the syndrome is recessive are not dominant .Only one copy of the gene is obligatory to cause the illness. The disease attacks the lower position of the brain ganglia and decays neurons of the striatum and pallidum .This affects the thinking ability, irritability and the ability to remember past or even immediate activities .In the case where a child acquires the disease and the past generations did not experience the disorder, then it’s assumed to be due to mutation.
The disease bases its originality on the duplication of copies of hereditary genes by the DNA. An error may occurs at the time of photocopying .This is possible through processes like mutation. The nitrogenous bases are reorganized in a sequence that is different from that of the parent. If the bases are align in the order of CAG, and then the child born will have the gene allele for the disease (Chase, 529).
Signs and Symptoms of the disease
The victim experiences general frailness of the muscles, poor coordination of the lips and tongue, jaw and throat. This is known as dysarthria (Knowles 24). The patient experiences difficulties in pronunciation of certain words that are ordinary and easy to pronounce. The voice of the victim may be too high, too low, hoarse, or harsh. The victim utters some particular words that do not marry with the circumstance in which she is. He may have a lot of problems in adapting new skills and concepts. Reading and writing may also be a serious predicament. The victim cannot pay maximum concentration in any manner for a reasonable duration. His show is easily stolen. Swallowing problems are also widespread among such persons. For example, he cannot swallow the food easily or may want to swallow without miming or chewing. The victim can only remember instant issues only .Long duration memories never change in any case.
Prevention and Cure
There is no cure for the disease but certain drugs can be taken in to reduce the symptoms of the disease .However ,all the drugs to be used have side effects to the person hence the drugs must not be abused. Tetrabenazine slows down chorea .Haloperidol are used to diminish the dancing movements while walking (Knowles, 301).
Work Cited
Chase, N, T .et al. Huntington’s disease. Michigan: Raven Press, 2008
Knowles, J. Huntington’s disease. Chicago: Rosen Publishing Group, 2006
Quarrell, O .Huntington’s disease .London: Oxford University Press, 2008
