Huntington's disease: Causes, symptoms, and what you need to know

When you hear Huntington's disease, a fatal inherited brain disorder that breaks down nerve cells over time. Also known as HD, it doesn't just affect movement—it changes how you think, feel, and even speak. Unlike infections or lifestyle illnesses, Huntington's disease is passed down through a single faulty gene. If one parent has it, each child has a 50% chance of inheriting it. There's no cure, and no way to stop it once it starts.

The first signs are often subtle: a twitch in the finger, trouble focusing, or mood swings that seem out of place. Over time, these turn into uncontrollable jerking movements called chorea, involuntary, dance-like motions that interfere with walking, eating, and talking. Memory fades. Judgment weakens. Depression and irritability become constant. It’s not just aging—it’s the brain slowly losing its ability to control itself. People with Huntington’s often need help with daily tasks within 10 to 15 years after symptoms begin.

What makes this disease so hard to face is that you can test for it before symptoms show. A blood test finds the HD mutation, an abnormal expansion of a specific DNA sequence on chromosome 4. But knowing doesn’t mean you can stop it. That’s why so many people choose not to get tested. Treatment doesn’t reverse damage, but it can help manage symptoms. Medications can reduce chorea, calm mood swings, or ease depression. Physical therapy keeps mobility longer. Speech therapy helps people stay heard.

There’s no magic fix, but research is moving forward. Scientists are testing drugs that target the faulty gene directly. Clinical trials are looking at ways to slow or even silence the mutation before it kills brain cells. Right now, the best thing you can do is understand it—know the signs, plan ahead, and connect with others who live with it every day.

Below, you’ll find real-world advice on managing side effects, navigating medication risks, and dealing with the emotional toll—written by people who’ve been there. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, caring for someone with HD, or just trying to understand, these posts give you the facts without the fluff.