Best Huntingtons Disease Doctors in Hyderabad

Huntington's disease is an inherited neurodegenerative condition marked by the gradual deterioration of nerve cells in the brain. This condition affects movement, cognition, and behaviour, resulting in a spectrum of physical, cognitive, and psychiatric symptoms. The disease is caused by a genetic mutation in the huntingtin gene (HTT). It gradually damages neurons in specific areas of the brain.

In Hyderabad, Apollo Hospitals is at the forefront of addressing the need for effective diagnosis and treatment of Huntington's disease. The hospital boasts a team of the best doctors for Huntington's disease treatment who offer comprehensive care for patients affected by this condition.

Types/Stages of Huntington's Disease

Huntington's disease typically evolves through these three stages:

• Early Stage: Individuals may experience subtle changes in mood, cognitive ability, and motor function.

• Middle Stage: Symptoms become more pronounced, including involuntary movements (chorea), difficulties with coordination and balance, cognitive decline, depression and anxiety.

• Late Stage: Symptoms further intensify with severe cognitive decline, profound memory loss, and increased difficulty performing daily activities.

Symptoms of Huntington's Disease

Huntington's disease can manifest in various ways among affected individuals. Some key symptoms include:

• Involuntary movements (chorea)

• Rigidity and stiffness

• Impaired coordination and balance

• Cognitive decline, including difficulties with memory, concentration, planning and decision-making

• Mood disturbances like irritability, anxiety, depression, and emotional instability

Tests to Diagnose Huntington's Disease

Several tests are performed by doctors specialising in Huntington's disease treatment for an accurate diagnosis, comprising:

• Neurological Evaluation: This comprehensive assessment evaluates cognitive functions (memory, attention, problem-solving), sensory functions (touch, pain perception), and motor functions (tremors, rigidity, coordination).

• Neuropsychological Testing: This measures various cognitive abilities including memory recall, reasoning, mental agility, language skills (e.g., naming, comprehension), and spatial reasoning.

• Brain Imaging and Function Tests: MRI or CT scans are used to visualise the brain's structure and function, and detect atrophy in specific areas like the basal ganglia.

• Genetic Counselling and Testing: This test confirms the diagnosis by identifying the presence of the CAG repeat expansion in the HTT gene and helps understand the inheritance pattern of the disease.

Treatment or Surgery Options for Huntington's Disease at Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad

Apollo Hospitals provides comprehensive treatment options by the best doctors for Huntington's disease for patients with this issue:

• Neurological Management: Specialists in Huntington's disease prescribe medications to manage specific symptoms like chorea (using drugs like tetrabenazine or deutetrabenazine), depression, or anxiety (with antidepressants and antipsychotics).

• Rehabilitation and Support: This includes treatments by expert healthcare to manage cognitive and behavioural symptoms and provide caregiver education. They provide cognitive rehabilitation to enhance memory and problem-solving and behavioural therapy to address mood and psychological issues.

• Palliative Care: As the disease progresses, palliative care is administered to manage pain, control symptoms such as severe motor impairment and cognitive decline, and provide emotional and psychological support.

With the best doctors treating Huntington's disease, Apollo Hospitals in Hyderabad is one of the best faculty for this disease. They offer a multidisciplinary approach to treating Huntington's disease.