The 5 stages of Huntington’s disease explained
Huntington’s disease is a genetic, neurodegenerative condition characterized by emotional, cognitive, and motor symptoms. The course of the disease involves a gradual development of involuntary jerking muscle movements and a progressive decline in memory and cognitive function. It shows symptoms such as uncontrolled movements and mental instability. Huntington’s disease (HD) is a genetic disorder inherited from a parent and is commonly divided into five stages of disease progression. So, let’s learn more about each stage. Stage 1: Preclinical stage People in the initial stage of Huntington’s disease may develop mild symptoms. While they may exhibit signs of a neurodegenerative disorder, the doctor might not diagnose the individual with Huntington’s disease. The symptoms of HD usually begin between 40 and 60 years of life. However, it may also appear as two years of age or as late as 80 years. In the early stages, damage to brain cells may cause symptoms such as: Involuntary twitching in the toes, fingers, or face Poor coordination May struggle to concentrate or solve problems Irritability Loss of inhibitions Depression Issues with complex movements Once these symptoms appear, a patient is diagnosed to be in the active stages of HD. It may take about eight years to pass from this stage to the next.