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Question
27 Jul 2007
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Juvenile Huntington's Disease
Hi there,
I am reading up on Juvenile Huntington's disease, reagrding a child who is 17 years old with cerebral atrophy of unknown cause. I have read about Juvenile HD as it looks similar to this child's presentation. Want i want to know is, does a child with HD necessarily have to have an HD sympomatic parent? I realise one parent has to be a carrier of the affected alele, but do they necessarily develop HD themselves?
thanks
I am reading up on Juvenile Huntington's disease, reagrding a child who is 17 years old with cerebral atrophy of unknown cause. I have read about Juvenile HD as it looks similar to this child's presentation. Want i want to know is, does a child with HD necessarily have to have an HD sympomatic parent? I realise one parent has to be a carrier of the affected alele, but do they necessarily develop HD themselves?
thanks
CyberDoc
Dear Mary
Thank you for visiting health24.com.
HD is a progressive chorea with an autosomal dominant inheritance and usually begins in the middle age. It is characterised by choreiform movements and mental deterioration leading to dementia. It is accompanied by atrophy of caudate nucleus and loss of certain brain cells with a decrease in the level of several neurotransmitters. The parent who carries the affected gene, does not necessarily develop HD.
Kind regards
Dr Anrich Burger
Thank you for visiting health24.com.
HD is a progressive chorea with an autosomal dominant inheritance and usually begins in the middle age. It is characterised by choreiform movements and mental deterioration leading to dementia. It is accompanied by atrophy of caudate nucleus and loss of certain brain cells with a decrease in the level of several neurotransmitters. The parent who carries the affected gene, does not necessarily develop HD.
Kind regards
Dr Anrich Burger
The information provided does not constitute a diagnosis of your condition. You should consult a medical practitioner or other appropriate health care professional for a physical examination, diagnosis and formal advice. Health24 and the expert accept no responsibility or liability for any damage or personal harm you may suffer resulting from making use of this content.
