Donovan Dicks

GT Biology
12/5/12
Huntingtons Disease

The organelle known as the nucleus houses the genetic material commonly referred to as

DNA. DNA is essential for life; it has the instructions for creating proteins, and without it cells

could not form. The molecule is shaped like a double helix, or a spiral ladder. Two chemicals

link together between each side of the molecule, forming the rungs of the ladder. There are four

bases, the chemicals that link together, which are adenine, cytosine, guanine, and thymine (A, C,

G, and T). Genes, which determine a persons traits, are long strings of DNA which contain

many different combinations of the chemicals. The linked bases form a message, and the

combinations throughout an entire string of DNA determine a genes function. After genes are

formed, they are arranged on 23 pairs of chromosomes, which are split in half between the

mother and father.

With Huntingtons disease, there is a problem with a section of the DNA that is present

on chromosome 4. To clarify, the genetic defect can be present in either of the chromosome,

meaning that the disease is an equal threat to both sexes. The specific problem is a heightened

number of repeats for a particular part of DNA, known as a CAG repeat, which is a sequence of

the three bases, C, A, and G. In a normal gene, the section of DNA repeats itself 10 to 28 times,

but in a defected gene, the section can be repeated anywhere from 36 to 120 times. The number

of repeats of the CAG sequence tends to grow over each generation. The disease is genetically

inherited, and the greater the number of CAG repeats, the earlier the disease will likely being to

show symptoms. As DNA holds the instructions for the creation or proteins, an increase in a

specific repeat can greatly alter the function of the molecule. With the defect, neurons (nerve

cells) in different areas of the brain are genetically programmed to degenerate over time.
 The disease causes many affects vital bodily functions and symptoms, spanning across

behavioral, physical, and mental categories. Some of the common behavioral changes are intense

mood swings, irritability, or restlessness. A few psychological symptoms, including

hallucinations, paranoia, and psychosis, are also behavioral symptoms. The common physical

symptoms are jerking movements of various body parts, facial movements, other uncontrollable

movements of the body, and other unusual movements. Mental symptoms include dementia,

which would slowly worsen, and all its symptoms. All of these symptoms are directly related to

the degeneration of neurons in the brain. The disease affects many important sections of the

brain, and the damage can produce symptoms from any category above. The symptoms generally

worsen as the disease worsens, seeing how the neuron degeneration worsens as well. Most

people are diagnosed in their 30s and 40s, with the exception of a small portion of cases where

the disease begins in childhood. Those diagnosed are expected to die within 15 to 20 years.

As of now, there is no cure for Huntingtons disease, and no way to prevent the gene

from being passed through generations (though a child will naturally have a 50% chance of not

having the disease). There is however medication to slow certain symptoms to improve quality

of life for those with the disease. Many drugs are used for physical and behavioral symptoms,

and as dementia does not have a cure either, many mental symptoms have few treatment options.

Persons with the disease will have to rely more and more on those who care for them for

treatment. Currently, there is evidence that shows that co-enzyme Q10 may help slow the

disease, but more testing is required.