Huntington’s Disease

Huntington’s disease is an inherited condition that causes brain cells to slowly lose function and die. It affects the cells in parts of your brain that regulate voluntary movement and memory. Common symptoms include uncontrollable movements and changes to your thinking, behavior and personality. These symptoms get worse over time.

What are the types of Huntington’s disease?

There are two types of Huntington’s disease:

• Adult onset: This is the most common form. Symptoms usually begin after age 30.
• Early onset (juvenile Huntington’s disease): Early onset affects children and teenagers. It’s very rare.

How common is Huntington’s disease?

Huntington’s disease affects an estimated 3 to 7 out of every 100,000 people, most often people of European ancestry (biological family comes from European descent).