HD affects as many people as Hemophilia, Cystic Fibrosis or muscular dystrophy. Early symptoms of Huntington s Disease may affect cognitive ability or mobility and include depression, mood swings, forgetfulness, clumsiness, involuntary twitching and lack of coordination. As the disease progresses, concentration and short-term memory diminish and involuntary movements of the head, trunk and limbs increase. Walking, speaking and swallowing abilities deteriorate. Eventually the person is unable to care for him or herself.
Death follows from complications such as choking, infection or heart failure.
HD typically begins in mid-life, between the ages of 30 and 45, though onset may occur as early as the age of 2. Children who develop the juvenile form of the disease rarely live to adulthood. HD affects males and females equally and crosses all ethnic and racial boundaries. Each child of a person with HD has a 50-50 chance of inheriting the fatal gene. Everyone who carries the gene will develop the disease.