Huntington’s disease

Huntington’s disease is a condition that stops parts of the brain working properly over time.[1]

The underlying reason for Huntington’s disease is damage to and the death of some brain cells (neurons), caused by faulty genes. An affected person will inherit these genes from one, or both, of their parents.

In some cases, a person without a family history can develop the disease, but it has been suggested that in such cases, a parent did in fact have Huntington’s disease but did not receive a diagnosis. [2]

Huntington’s disease is a degenerative condition, meaning that it gets progressively worse over time, and is usually fatal after a period of up to 20 years.

The symptoms of Huntington’s disease can include:

• difficulty concentrating and memory lapses
• depression
• stumbling and clumsiness
• involuntary jerking or fidgety movements of the limbs and body
• mood swings and personality changes
• problems swallowing, speaking and breathing
• difficulty moving.[3]

Huntingdon’s disease is a rare condition; the Huntington’s Disease Association estimates that 8,000 people in the UK have the condition.[4]

An NHS webpage provides further information about Huntington’s disease.

This pack contains information on treatment, clinical research and NHS services for Huntington’s disease, as well as recent PQs, news and press releases. 

[1]     NHS, Huntington’s disease, accessed 7 November 2022

[2]     NHS, Huntington’s disease, accessed 7 November 2022

[3]     NHS, Huntington’s disease, accessed 7 November 2022

[4]     Huntington’s Disease Association, Impact report, 2019