Huntington's disease (Huntington's chorea) is a progressive, degenerative disease that causes certain nerve cells in your brain to waste away. As a result, you may experience uncontrolled movements, emotional disturbances and mental deterioration. The disorder was documented in 1872 by American physician George Huntington. The name chorea comes from the Greek word for "dance" and refers to the characteristic and incessant quick, jerky, involuntary movements.

Huntington's disease is an inherited condition resulting from a single abnormal gene. Signs and symptoms usually develop in middle age, and men and women are equally likely to develop the disease. Younger people with the disease often have a more severe condition and symptoms may progress more quickly. Rarely, cases may occur in children.

Prevention

If you have a family history of Huntington's disease, you may want to consider genetic counseling before starting a family. A blood test can determine the presence of the faulty gene, even before you show signs or symptoms. If one parent carries the defective gene, his or her child has a 50 percent chance of developing Huntington's disease.