The DNA test is highly reliable and can confirm or refute the diagnosis in most cases. Careful counseling and follow-up care is essential if asymptomatic family members are to be tested. CT scan or MRI may show loss of a normally convex bulge of the caudate nucleus into the lateral ventricles. Enlarged lateral ventricles usually are visible on head CT scan. Familial screening for the disease is possible, but widespread testing awaits resolution of social and ethical considerations.
Neurology is the appropriate consulting service if the diagnosis is in question.
Drug-resistant depression may yield to electroconvulsive therapy. Speech and occupational therapy may be employed. Chorea sometimes may be suppressed with drugs, but the associated adverse effects can be severe. Most patients are actually untroubled by the choreic movements. Suppression of the movements does not result in improved function.