Huntignton's Disease or Huntignton's Chorea

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Huntington’s disease, or Huntington’s chorea, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system that is genetically inherited through an autosomal dominant trait. (Webster) It is caused by a mutation on the huntingtin protein where the CAG repeat region is elongated. CAG is responsible for coding glutamine. This mutation causes many devastating effects and is ultimately fatal. There is no known cure. The disease results in many symptoms, including chorea, which is characterized by irregular and involuntary movement of the body. The disease causes neurodegeneration in the brain, including the caudate, putamen and the cortex. This will cause cognitive decline as the disease progresses further. Additionally, weight loss is a common feature of Huntington’s disease, and it is very difficult for HD patients to maintain appropriate body weight. Issues with mitochondrial dysfunction and energy metabolism are also seen, including lack of ATP production in muscle, decreased activity of the electron transport chain, and compromised energy metabolism in both the brain and ...

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