Myths About Huntington' Disease
Myth 1:
HD is a male disease.
Fact:
Both men and women can be born with the HD gene.
Myth 2:
If you have the gene you will start showing symptoms at the same age as your parents.
Fact:
If your mother is affected with HD it is more likely you will have a similar age of onset. If your father is affected with HD you have the potential of developing the disease at an earlier age than he did.
Myth 3:
Right now there is a cure for HD.
Fact:
Right now we are able to treat the symptoms of HD (i.e. anxiety, depression, involuntary movements), but at this time there is no cure.
Myth 4:
HD can skip generations.
Fact:
The HD gene mutation never skips a generation. However, if someone dies young of another cause, no one might know that the person had the HD gene mutation.