Presymptomatic testing for those individuals at risk for Huntington disease is available at H.A. Chapman Institute under a nationally approved protocol recommended by the Huntington Disease Society of America. This protocol restricts the testing to those 18 years of age or older in the absence of any special medical indications. This test can also be ordered with a panel of Neurological Screen testing to identify the ataxia condition. The advantage is considerable cost savings when compared to testing individually and more rapid identification of conditions in a patient with ambiguous or non-classical symptoms. The presymptomatic testing protocol begins with extensive genetic counseling that explains all aspects of DNA testing for Huntington disease and the psychological aspects of the program.
Psychological support is mandated under the protocol.
The purpose of this support is to ensure that the individuals who undergo testing are prepared for the results and will integrate them into their life in a useful way. Follow-up psychological consultations are designed to make sure that the results are being handled in a way that no harm will come to the client. Results are available within 2 weeks. A Requisition form should accompany the specimen. For testing of symptomatic patients, please complete the Huntington's Disease Confirmatory Testing Form .