হান্টিংটন এর রোগ

সংজ্ঞা

Huntington’s disease (HD) is an inherited disorder that affects the brain. HD causes slow, progressive degeneration of nerve cells in certain areas of the brain. Eventually, HD results in:

• Abnormal body movements
• Gradual deterioration or loss of intellectual abilities (dementia)
• আচরণের সমস্যা

কারণসমূহ

A faulty gene on chromosome #4 causes HD. All people who inherit the faulty gene may eventually develop HD.

ঝুঁকির কারণ

These factors increase your chance of developing HD:

• Family members with HD: Each person whose parent has HD has a 50% chance of inheriting the disorder.
• Age: Onset of symptoms range from 35-50 years old. Juvenile cases occur in people less than 20 years of age.

লক্ষণ

Symptoms are mild at first and are often barely noticeable but usually worsen over 15-20 years.

শারীরিক লক্ষণ অন্তর্ভুক্ত হতে পারে:

• Abnormal body movements that worsen over time, including:
  • Sudden jerks or uncontrolled movements of the limbs or trunk
  • Facial grimacing
  • Continuous need to turn head and shift gaze
  • Walking that is unsteady or dance-like
• Difficulty with eating, dressing, sitting, and caring for oneself
• গিলতে অসুবিধা
• Grunting or poor articulation of speech
• ওজন কমানো

Intellectual and emotional symptoms may include:

• Trouble with attention and awareness
• Confusion or disorientation
• Loss of memory
• Loss of judgment
• Loss of ability to think rationally
• Irritability and moodiness
• Depression (common)
• দুশ্চিন্তা
• Social withdrawal or antisocial behavior
• Irresponsible behavior
• Obsessive-compulsive behavior
• ব্যক্তিত্বের পরিবর্তন হয়
• Psychosis—a severe emotional and behavioral disorder that often interferes with a person’s ability to relate to others and to function in daily life
• Paranoia—a mental disorder that involves feelings of being watched, followed, or harmed by others
• Hallucinations—the perception of a thing or person that is not present

Ultimately, HD can:

• Cause the loss of the physical and mental ability to care for oneself
• Cause severe disability, making full-time or nursing home care necessary
• Result in death, often due to a fall or pneumonia

রোগ নির্ণয়

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history (including family medical history). A physical exam will be done. Tests may include:

• Computed tomography (CT) scan—a type of x-ray that uses a computer to make pictures of the brain
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan—a test that uses magnetic waves to make pictures of the brain
• Positron emission tomography (PET) scan—a test that uses radioactive isotopes (substances that are absorbed by certain areas of the brain) to assess brain function
• Blood tests—to rule out other causes of symptoms