Huntington’s disease is a neurological disorder caused by a faulty gene in one of the chromosomes. The gene damages nerve cells in the brain, which leads to gradual physical, mental and emotional changes.
Each parent whose parent has HD is born with a 50:50 chance of inheriting the faulty gene. Anyone who inherits the gene will at some stage develop the disease.
A genetics test is available for IOM residents at the Liverpool Women’s Hospital in the United Kingdom. This will identify whether someone has inherited the faulty gene, but will not show the age at which they will develop the disease.
What is HD?