Juvenile Huntington disease in Argentina

Arq Neuropsiquiatr. 2016 Jan;74(1):50-4. doi: 10.1590/0004-282X20150192. Epub 2015 Nov 24.

Abstract

We analyzed demographic, clinical and genetic characteristics of juvenile Huntington disease (JHD) and it frequency in an Argentinean cohort. Age at onset was defined as the age at which behavioral, cognitive, psychiatric or motor abnormalities suggestive of JHD were first reported. Clinical and genetic data were similar to other international series, however, in this context we identified the highest JHD frequency reported so far (19.72%; 14/71). Age at onset of JHD is challenging and still under discussion. Our findings reinforce the hypothesis that clinical manifestations, other than the typical movement disorder, may anticipate age at onset of even many years. Analyses of JHD cohorts are required to explore it frequency in populations with different backgrounds to avoid an underestimation of this rare phenotype. Moreover, data from selected populations may open new pathways in therapeutic approaches and may explain new potential correlations between HD presentations and environmental or biological factors.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Age of Onset
  • Argentina / epidemiology
  • Child
  • Child Behavior Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cognition Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Huntingtin Protein
  • Huntington Disease / epidemiology*
  • Huntington Disease / genetics
  • Male
  • Movement Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • HTT protein, human
  • Huntingtin Protein
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins