Huntington's disease is characterized by?

Huntington's disease is characterized by?

• A. A viral infection of the brain.
• B. A genetic disorder causing early-onset muscular dystrophy.
• C. A neurodegenerative disease with onset in adolescence that primarily affects vision.
• D. A genetic disorder that causes progressive deterioration of brain cells; symptoms may not appear until about age 30 and include balance and coordination challenges.

Answer: (D)

Huntington's disease is a genetic, progressive neurodegenerative disorder. It causes gradual loss of brain cells, especially in the basal ganglia and cortex, leading to motor problems (like changes in movement and balance), cognitive decline, and psychiatric symptoms. The onset is commonly in adulthood, around age 30 and later, though juvenile cases exist, and balance and coordination difficulties are typical features as the disease progresses. This fits the statement that it is a genetic disorder causing progressive deterioration of brain cells with onset near age 30 and presenting with balance and coordination challenges. The other options describe conditions that aren’t accurate for Huntington’s: it isn’t a viral brain infection; it isn’t early-onset muscular dystrophy; and it isn’t primarily an adolescence-onset condition affecting vision.

Huntington's disease is a genetic, progressive neurodegenerative disorder. It causes gradual loss of brain cells, especially in the basal ganglia and cortex, leading to motor problems (like changes in movement and balance), cognitive decline, and psychiatric symptoms. The onset is commonly in adulthood, around age 30 and later, though juvenile cases exist, and balance and coordination difficulties are typical features as the disease progresses.

This fits the statement that it is a genetic disorder causing progressive deterioration of brain cells with onset near age 30 and presenting with balance and coordination challenges. The other options describe conditions that aren’t accurate for Huntington’s: it isn’t a viral brain infection; it isn’t early-onset muscular dystrophy; and it isn’t primarily an adolescence-onset condition affecting vision.