Huntington's Disease Huntington's disease is an inherited, degenerative brain disease which affects the mind and body. It affects 7 in every 100,000 people in Australia. It usually appears between the ages of 30 and 50 and is characterised by intellectual decline and irregular, involuntary movement of the limbs or facial muscles. Other symptoms include personality changes, memory disturbance, slurred speech, impaired judgement and psychiatric problems. There is no treatment available to stop the progression of the disease, but medication can control movement disorders and psychiatric symptoms.
Dementia occurs in the majority of cases.
This dementia is preventable. If people don't drink, or they drink at a safe level, they don't get it. The most vulnerable parts of the brain are those used for memory, and for planning, organising and judgement, social skills and balance. If drinking stops here may be some improvement. Taking thiamine appears to help prevent and improve the condition.