On the hunt for a cure: A guide to Huntington disease.

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Jennifer de la Cruz is director of clinical education and a clinical assistant professor in the PA program at Mercer University in Atlanta, Ga. Joseph Hwang was a student in the PA program at Mercer University when this article was written, and now practices at Urgent Care of Oconee in Watkinsville, Ga. The authors have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.

Published: April 2021

Huntington disease is a rare genetic disorder characterized by motor, cognitive, and psychiatric impairments. Although the typical patient has a positive family history and initially presents with chorea between ages 30 and 50 years, some patients do not have a typical presentation. Healthcare providers should know when to refer patients to neurology for testing for Huntington disease. The earlier the diagnosis is made, the earlier the patient and patient's family can receive education about the expected disease trajectory. A multidisciplinary approach is required to mitigate symptoms as the disease progresses. Although no cure exists, ongoing research is targeting genotypic abnormalities in hopes of finding a permanent treatment for Huntington disease.

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http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/01.JAA.0000735740.95438.60DOI Listing

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