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Washington University Experience | NEURODEGENERATION | Huntington Disease | 14A0 Case 14 History
Case 14 History This 51-year-old right-handed man (MDC) noticed balance problems and sustained a couple of falls in the late 80s. In 1991 he had difficulty concentrating, had memory problems, and was unable to complete his job properly. About 7 years prior to his office visit in September 2001, his personality changed and he became more argumentative and aggressive. He developed involuntary movements around age 46 years. He started haloperidol at this time. He felt clumsy and is depressed but denied suicidal thoughts. Several members of his family had been diagnosed with Huntington's disease (HD). At his assessment in December 2004 his chorea was mild. The clarity of his speech fluctuated but it remained understandable. He had some memory loss. He had some difficulty swallowing. On the Huntington's Disease Motor Assessment he scored 48. Since his last visit the patient had been permanently institutionalized. Genetic testing revealed CAG expansions of 15 (normal) and 45 (disease-related) in HTT alleles. He died in June 2010.Clinical diagnosis: Huntington's disease. ---- At autopsy the unfixed brain weighed 1100g.
