Download Huntington's Disease and Predictive Genetic Testing. Symptoms typically start in middle age between 30-50 years, although they can also develop in younger and older people and become worse as the disease progresses until death occurs. With time and support, most people come to accept their result. How Should You Prepare for a Genetic Counselor Visit? The reason this disease is characterized as dominant is that having only one defective gene is enough to cause the condition, even if a person has another normal chromosome. Nat Rev Dis Primers. She co-founded the migraine and vascular section for the American Headache Society. The decision whether to have predictive testing is extremely personal and it's important to take your time and make an informed choice. Concerns have been raised that predictive testing may lead to an increase in deaths by suicide among identified carriers, … For example, results from predictive testing could make it difficult to purchase life, disability or long-term care insurance. Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. People in favor of testing often cite their motivations to be an increased ability to plan for the future and make informed reproductive decisions, the relief of uncertainty and worry, the desire to learn their children's risk status, the ability to participate in research and clinical trials, and simply for the sake of wanting to know. The gene abnormality, an increase in CAG repeats, is found on chromosome 4. Huntington's Disease and Predictive Genetic Testing. Completing the CAPTCHA proves you are a human and gives you temporary access to the web property. All people inherit two copies of each gene; so all people have two copies of chromosome 4. What Can Genetic Testing Tell You and How Can It Help? There are some strategies that your doctor may use to better interpret your test results. Although, individuals with 36-39 CAG repeats often have a later age of onset than what is typical observed. Performance & security by Cloudflare, Please complete the security check to access. Cloudflare Ray ID: 5f7f67b0c9dbdbfb The complexity of this decision is likely why only 10% of people living at-risk in the USA decide to pursue predictive testing. The Huntingtons gene is located on chromosome 4. Huntington's disease is often described as a family disease. Huntington’s Disease Genetics. Predictive genetic testing involves a simple blood test to detect whether or not the individual has the genetic mutation that causes the disease. Et al. By using Verywell Health, you accept our, Huntington's Disease Genetic Test Logistics, How the HD Gene Causes Huntington’s Disease, Dopamine: What It Does for You and Related Conditions, The Rare Genetic Disorder That Affects Muscle Control and Coordination, Explore the Treatment Options for Juvenile Huntington's Disease, Some Babies Are Born Weak Due to a Genetic Mutation — Here's Why, Why Neurofibromatosis Type 2 Causes Tumor Growth, Hereditary Risk Factors of Alzheimer’s Disease, Tardive Dyskinesia Is a Movement Disorder Due to Neuroleptic Use, How Genetics Testing Can Help Identify Parkinson's Disease, Medications and Non-Drug Approaches to Treat Huntington's Disease. The genetic problem of Huntington’s disease, the CAG repeats, causes an abnormality in the production of a protein called the huntingtin protein. Those who are afflicted with Huntington’s disease have a life expectancy of about 10-20 years after the onset of symptoms. Dr. Moawad regularly writes and edits health and career content for medical books and publications. It is a genetic disorder that is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. doi:10.1602/neurorx.1.2.255, Ⓒ 2020 About, Inc. (Dotdash) — All rights reserved.
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