What exactly is Huntington's disease or HD? The shortened definition is that it is degeneration of specific brain cells that causes uncontrolled movements, loss of intellectual facilities and emotional disturbances. It also impacts the area of the brain that controls thought, perception and memory.
Long version is that HD is the result of an abnormality on the 4th chromosome that causes it to have an abnormal repeat. Over time, this build up of the abnormal repeat is what will cause the disease to overtake the body. There is no set age of when it will affect a person. It all depends on how fast the chromosome repeats itself and builds up in the body. However, most often, though, it begins during middle age. There are some people that have developed symptoms at an earlier age, but those are very limited numbers.
Huntington's disease is an inherited disease. It is passed on from an infected parent. Each child has a 50/50 chance of contracting the disease. An example of the randomness of who will be affected can be explained by using the example of my husband, Robert's family. His grandfather on his mother's side had the disease. Of the three children he had, only Robert's mother was infected. Robert's uncle and aunt did not inherit HD. Robert has 4 siblings. A sister and 3 brothers. Of the 5, his sister, one brother and Robert have tested positive. The other 2 brothers did not inherit the disease.
Long version is that HD is the result of an abnormality on the 4th chromosome that causes it to have an abnormal repeat. Over time, this build up of the abnormal repeat is what will cause the disease to overtake the body. There is no set age of when it will affect a person. It all depends on how fast the chromosome repeats itself and builds up in the body. However, most often, though, it begins during middle age. There are some people that have developed symptoms at an earlier age, but those are very limited numbers.
Huntington's disease is an inherited disease. It is passed on from an infected parent. Each child has a 50/50 chance of contracting the disease. An example of the randomness of who will be affected can be explained by using the example of my husband, Robert's family. His grandfather on his mother's side had the disease. Of the three children he had, only Robert's mother was infected. Robert's uncle and aunt did not inherit HD. Robert has 4 siblings. A sister and 3 brothers. Of the 5, his sister, one brother and Robert have tested positive. The other 2 brothers did not inherit the disease.
Praying that HD is kind to Robert as he leads his life with God. I pray that you are given peace when things don't go his way. And that you always love one another.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rhonda, that means a lot!
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