Huntington's Disease Symptoms

Symptoms of Huntington's Disease

The symptoms of Huntington's can vary greatly between people.^[3] Symptoms worsen slowly and the rate of decline depends on the number of brain cells that have died. Death occurs between 10 and 30 years after the first symptoms develop. The disease typically grows worse more rapidly in children and death may occur in children within 10 years of diagnosis.^[4]

The early symptoms of Huntington's disease often include:

• Personality changes including irritability, anger, depression, or a loss of interest
• Decreased mental ability such as problems making decisions, learning new information, answering questions and remembering important information
• Mild balance problems
• Clumsiness
• Involuntary movements of the face such as grimacing

Later symptoms include:

• Jerky, involuntary movements called chorea
• Severe problems with balance and coordination
• Jerky, rapid eye movements
• Halting or slurred speech
• Problems with swallowing
• Dementia (loss of mental function)

Children with Huntington's disease may have different symptoms that are similar to Parkinson's disease including rigid muscles, tremors and slow movements. They may also have seizures.

Some people may develop psychiatric problems such as bipolar disorder (manic-depression).^[4] They may have delusions (false beliefs), hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't there) or be paranoid.