Model Concept: Huntington's

A genetic disease which typically manifests symptoms between the ages of 30 and 50 although a juvenile onset form occurs before 20 . Neuronal cell death occurs in various brain regions including those controlling voluntary movement and cognition. Uncontrolled movements (chorea), clumsiness, errors in judgement, emotional swings, and difficulty eating and swallowing are some of the symptoms. Particular mutations in the associated "huntingtin" gene eventually cause the disease in those patients. Drugs can alleviate the symptoms however no drug has been found, so far, that can stop the progression.