Table 3.

Onset of Clinical Signs and Symptoms in HD

Clinical Signs in HD
Early
  • Clumsiness
  • Agitation
  • Irritability
  • Apathy
  • Anxiety
  • Disinhibition
  • Delusions
  • Hallucinations
  • Abnormal eye movements
  • Depression
  • Olfactory dysfunction
Middle
  • Dystonia
  • Involuntary movements
  • Trouble w/balance & walking
  • Chorea, twisting & writhing motions, jerks, staggering, swaying, disjointed gait (can seem like intoxication)
  • Trouble w/activities that require manual dexterity
  • Slow voluntary movements; difficulty initiating movement
  • Inability to control speed & force of movement
  • Slow reaction time
  • General weakness
  • Weight loss
  • Speech difficulties
  • Stubbornness
Late
  • Rigidity
  • Bradykinesia (difficulty initiating & continuing movements)
  • Severe chorea (less common)
  • Significant weight loss
  • Inability to walk
  • Inability to speak
  • Swallowing difficulties; danger of choking
  • Inability to care for oneself

From: Huntington Disease

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