Huntington's Disease and the Family

Huntington's disease (HD) is a chronic, progressive selective neurodegenerative disorder, which can last around 20 years. The condition affects both males and females and is characterized by problems with movement, cognitive impairment, and a mood disorder. HD has an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance: meaning that on average, half the offspring of an affected person will develop the same condition. This entry considers, first, issues for caring for an affected individual in the context of a family and, second, options for those individuals who are at 50% risk of developing HD.