What is Huntington Chorea?

Huntington chorea is a historic name for Huntington's disease, a genetic neurological condition characterized in its early stages by the development of chorea, a type of movement disorder. This condition is a very common cause for the development of chorea in middle aged to older adults, and it is incurable, although there are treatments available to help people manage the disease. Because Huntington chorea is genetic, there are concerns about carriers of the disease passing it on to descendants.

In Huntington chorea, a genetic variation interferes with the production of certain proteins in the body. Over time, this causes nerve cells in the brain to start to waste away. The early warning sign is often the development of writhing, twisting motions the patient cannot control. These motions, known as chorea, are accompanied with an unsteady gait and poor motor coordination. Over time, the patient develops dementia, and may become increasingly unaware of the surroundings and unable to communicate.

Like many genetic diseases, although Huntington chorea is genetic, it takes a number of different forms. It can manifest quite differently within a single family, and people in the same family can have it to varying degrees of severity. The gene is dominant, and people only need to inherit one copy of the gene to develop the condition. With the advent of genetic testing, it has become possible to test people to see if they have the gene.

Neurodegenerative disorders can be frustrating for patients and their families. In the case of families with a history of Huntington chorea, family members are sometimes anxious about developing the disease after having seen its ravaging effects on their relatives. Genetic testing can help people prepare before the condition begins to develop. Physical therapy can be an option to help patients retain motor skills and muscle control, and patients can also work on developing communication methods they can use when the disease has progressed and it is harder to speak.

Research on Huntington chorea is ongoing in the medical community. Patients with this condition may be eligible for clinical trials investigating treatment and management methods that may provide them with an opportunity for better quality of life and comfort. Patients may want to discuss their options with a neurologist to learn more about the latest treatments and studies. As with other genetic research, one long-term goal of Huntington's research is to develop a cure by addressing the underlying genetic cause of the disease.