The following information was provided by the National Insititute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, a component of the National Institutes of Health and a leading federal supporter of research on disorders of the brain and nervous system. For more information on Huntington's Disease or other neurological disorders, please refer to the resources listed below.

About Huntington's Disease 

In the last several years, scientists working with support from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) have made a significant number of breakthroughs in the area of HD research. With these advances, our understanding of the disease continues to improve. 

What Causes Huntington's Disease?

HD results from genetically programmed degeneration of neurons in certain areas of the brain, resulting in uncontrolled movements, deterioration of cognitive functioning, and emotional disturbance.

How is HD Inherited?

HD is a familial disease, passed from parent to child through a mutation or mishap in the normal gene. The impact of a gene depends partly on whether it is dominant or recessive. If a gene is dominant, then only one of the paired chromosomes is required to produce its effect. If the gene is recessive, both parents must provide chromosomal copies for the trait to be present. HD is called an autosomal dominant disorder because only one copy of the defective gene, inherited from one parent, is necessary to produce the disease.

Each parent has two copies of every chromosome but gives only one copy to each child. Each child of an HD parent has a 50-50 chance of inheriting the HD gene. If a child does not inherit the HD gene, he or she will not develop the disease and cannot pass it to subsequent generations. A person who inherits the HD gene, and survives long enough, will sooner or later develop the disease. In some families, all the children may inherit the HD gene; in others, non do. Whether one child inherits the gene has no bearing on whether others will or will not.

Brain Resources and Information Network (BRAIN)

P.O. Box 5801

Bethesda, MD 20824

(301) 496-5751

(800) 352-9424

www.ninds.hih.gov

Private voluntary organizations that provide the public with information on treatment, diagnosis, and services.

Huntington's Disease Society of America (HDSA)

505 Eighth Avenue

Suite 902

New York, NY 10018

(212) 242-1968

(800) 345-4372

www.hdsa.org

Hereditary Disease Foundation

3960 Broadway

6th Floor

New York, NY 10032

(212) 928-2121

www.hdfoundation.org