Understanding Huntingtons Disease Essay examples -- Health Medicine

Understanding Huntingtons Disease Diagnosis of Huntingtons Disease Today, a blood test is available to diagnose a person displaying suspected Huntingtons symptoms. The test analyzes DNA in the blood sample and counts the number of times the genetic code for the mutated Huntingtons gene is repeated. Individuals with Huntingtons Disease usually have 40 or more such repeats those without it, 28 or fewer. If the number of repeats falls somewhere in between then more extensive neurological and diagnostic testing are called for. Tests of the tolerants hearing, eye movements, strength, feeling, reflexes, balance, movement and mental condition will follow. The patient may also be asked intimately any recent able or emotional problems.A computed tomography scan, positron emission tomography or magnetic resonance imaging techniques can also be prescribed. This is a painless diagnostic procedure that produces computer generated images of the brains internal structures. Huntingtons patients often show shrinkage in two particular areas of the brain, the caudate nucleus and the putamen, and enlargement of ventricles. Lastly, the denudation of an Huntingtons disease genetic marker, enabled scientists to locate the Huntingtons Disease gene on chromosome 4. These discoveries led to the development of an accurate presymptomatic test for detecting the presence of the HD mutation. People without symptoms, save with a family history of Huntingtons often elect to undergo this testing to gain greater certainity about their genetic status. This also enables them to make more informed decisions about their future. Pre-symptomatic testing can be performed on adults, children and even unborn fetuses in the womb, raising ethical ... ...n worsen the condition by causing stiffness and rigidity. If the patient suffers from depression, the physician may prescribe fluoxetine, sertraline hydrochloride or nortriptyline. Tranquilizers can be used to treat anxiety and lithium may be prescr ibed to those patients with morbid excitement or severe mood swings.Works Cited Glass, M. Dragunow, M. Faull, R.L.M. (2000). The pattern of neurodegeneration in Huntingtons disease a comparative study of cannabinoid, dopamine, adenosine and GABAA receptor alterations in the human meanspirited ganglia in Huntingtons disease. Neuroscience. 973 505-519.Lawrence, A.D. Sahakian, B.J. & Robbins, T.W. (1998). Cognitive functions and corticostriatal circuits insights from Huntingtons disease. Trends in Cognitive Sciences. 210 379-388. For information regarding Huntingtons Disease http//www.hda.org.uk/