Huntington’s disease is a genetic brain disorder that over time deteriorates the body and mind.
More than 30,000 people in the United States live with Huntington’s disease — and many more are at risk of developing the condition. If
Huntington’s disease is a genetic brain disorder that over time deteriorates the body and mind.
More than 30,000 people in the United States live with Huntington’s disease — and many more are at risk of developing the condition. If those with the disease survive long enough, they’ll lose the ability to perform everyday tasks.
But work from the UPMC Huntington’s Disease Center of Excellence offers hope that patients can live fuller, more independent lives.
“At one point if people would get the diagnosis of Huntington’s, they were told to get a nursing home,” said Valerie Suski, DO, director of the UPMC Huntington’s Disease Center of Excellence.
“That’s not the case anymore. We can keep people at home. We can keep them as independent as possible.”
What Is Huntington’s Disease?
Huntington’s disease (HD) is a progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain. Dr. Suski said the condition broadly affects a person’s movement, think