HD
is a neurological, familial disease, passed from parent to child through a
mutation on the 4th chromosome. Each child of an HD parent has a 50-50 chance
of inheriting the gene which causes degeneration of brain cells, resulting
in the loss of the ability to walk, think, talk, reason and swallow. Onset generally
appears at midlife, but in some onset occurs in childhood (juvenile HD) or
in old age (late onset). The disease profoundly affects the lives of entire
families, as the person with HD becomes totally dependent on others for his/her
care. About one in 10,000 Americans have this disease. Since 1993, a genetic
test has been available to those at-risk, to determine whether or not they
carry the HD gene. The test does not indicate at what age the disease will
develop. Your contribution will expedite this great scientific endeavor and
help fund family services for those afflicted with this uniquely devastating
neurological disease.
