Huntington’s Disease

UT Southwestern Medical Center offers comprehensive care for people with Huntington’s disease, encompassing screening, diagnosis, genetic counseling, treatment, and access to research opportunities.

Our Movement Disorders team is a participating member of the Huntington’s Study Group, a world leader in clinical research aimed at improving the quality of life for patients with Huntington’s disease and their families.

Why Choose UT Southwestern for Huntington’s Disease?

Huntington’s disease (HD) is an inherited disorder that results in progressive degeneration of cells in the part of the brain that controls emotions, body movements, and other neurological processes. While the genetic mutation that causes HD is known, there is currently no cure.

UT Southwestern Movement Disorders neurologists collaborate with specialists in genetics and psychiatry to provide HD patients with comprehensive care, access to the latest advancements, and opportunities to participate in clinical trials.

What Are the Symptoms of Huntington’s Disease?

Huntington’s disease affects each individual differently, and symptoms may begin subtly before becoming noticeable.

HD typically causes a combination of movement disorders, psychiatric problems, and cognitive changes, but the onset and severity vary from person to person.

Symptoms may include:

Behavioral and psychiatric changes, such as mood swings, irritability, impulsivity, paranoia, or psychotic disturbances
Cognitive decline, including memory loss, impaired judgment, personality changes, and speech difficulty
Movement disorders, such as:
- Chorea: Abnormal and unusual involuntary movements or impaired voluntary movements, such as facial movements, grimaces, head turning to shift eye position, quick or sudden jerking motions, and unsteady gait
- Dystonia: Sustained muscle contractions
- Incoordination: Difficulty with balance and fine motor control
Trouble swallowing

Huntington’s is most prevalent in adults, but it can affect children. Signs of the disease in children include:

Loss of previously learned skills
Rigidity
Slow movements
Parkinsonism symptoms

The symptoms of HD are progressive, but many people with the disease are able to live independently or with some assistance for many years. Eventually, people with HD will require significant assistance at home or in a care facility.

How Is Huntington’s Disease Diagnosed?

To diagnose Huntington’s disease, our team will ask about your medical history and symptoms, conduct a physical exam, and perform neurological tests.

Tests may include:

Neurological exam, a comprehensive exam including eye movements, coordination, reflexes, and walking
Neuropsychological exam, for memory, reasoning, and more
Mental health evaluation, including mental state and quality of judgment
Brain imaging, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans
Genetic testing

How Is Huntington’s Disease Treated?

HD has no cure, but symptom management with medications can improve quality of life. Our team in the Movement Disorders Clinic works closely with our colleagues in rehabilitation and psychiatry to provide multidisciplinary treatment for HD patients.

We also work closely with the local Huntington's Disease Society of America (HDSA) chapter and are involved in support and outreach programs to help patients.

What Clinical Trials Are Available for Huntington’s Disease?

As a world-class academic medical center, UT Southwestern offers patients with movement disorders such as Huntington’s disease unique access to research, clinical trials, and new therapies – often before they’re available at other hospitals.

Ask our doctors about clinical trial opportunities for Huntington’s Disease.