What is it?

Huntington's disease is a progressive brain disorder that causes uncontrolled movements, emotional problems, and loss of thinking ability (cognition). It is a hereditary condition, which means it is passed down from parent to child. The disease is caused by a mutation in the huntingtin gene, leading to the production of an abnormal form of the huntingtin protein.

This protein buildup damages nerve cells in certain parts of the brain, leading to the characteristic symptoms of Huntington's disease. The condition usually becomes noticeable in mid-adult life, although it can develop at any age.