Huntington’s disease
How CenterWell Specialty Pharmacy® can help
Huntington’s disease (HD) is a genetic disorder that affects the brain, causing issues with mobility, memory and mood. Living with HD can be challenging, but it’s possible to manage symptoms.
What is Huntington’s disease?¹
HD is a rare, inherited disease that causes the breakdown of nerve cells in the brain. It’s a degenerative disease, meaning that it progresses over time. HD affects physical movement, coordination, cognition, mood and behavior.
HD is caused by a mutation in the HTT gene, which provides instructions for making a protein called huntingtin. The huntingtin protein is involved with brain functions like cell development, repair and communication.
In people with HD, the mutated HTT gene produces a huntingtin protein that is too long. This abnormal protein builds up in the brain and damages nerve cells, causing symptoms of HD.
HD symptoms typically appear between the ages of 30–50, but they can also appear earlier or later in life.²
The severity of symptoms can vary from person to person. Some symptoms appear more dominant or have a greater effect on daily life, but that can change throughout the course of the disease.
The most common symptoms of HD include:¹,²
- Anxiety, depression and irritability
- Difficulty learning new tasks
- Feeling forgetful
- Impaired judgment
- Involuntary movements or jerking
- Mood swings
- Poor balance
- Trouble speaking or slurred speech
There is no cure for HD, but treatments are available to help manage symptoms. These treatment options include a combination of therapy (physical, speech and occupational) and medications.
The treatment plan will vary from patient to patient because HD causes a variety of symptoms, and the severity of the symptoms is different in each case. For example, some people might have issues with involuntary muscle spasms while others experience memory loss or mood swings.
CenterWell Specialty Pharmacy offers medications to treat the physical, cognitive and psychiatric symptoms of HD, as directed by your prescriber.
Getting involved with your community
Whether it’s sharing your story, joining a support group or contributing to message boards, you can make a difference for others living with HD.
Specialists who work remotely to support you wherever you are
Emotional support
Get 1-on-1 support from healthcare professionals who understand what you’re going through. We’ll listen to your concerns, answer your questions and help you manage any stress or anxiety.
Financial assistance
Don’t stress the bills. We work with financial assistance programs like grants, foundations and manufacturers to help you get the care you need. We’ll also assist you with the application process.
Clinical guidance
Receive personalized support regularly and instructions on how to take your meds. We’ll also work with your doctor to adjust your therapy if you’re experiencing side effects.
Sources
- “Huntington’s Disease,” National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, last accessed Feb. 1, 2024.
- “Huntington’s Disease,” Alzheimer’s Association, last accessed Feb. 1, 2024.
This information is not intended as a substitute for medical care or advice provided by your doctor or professional care provider. Only your doctor or professional care provider can diagnose and treat a medical condition.
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