About HD

Huntington's Disease Information

What is Huntington’s Disease?

HD is a relatively rare, inherited, neurodegenerative disease that causes the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain which impairs a person’s functional abilities. Symptoms include deterioration of coordination, involuntary movements, loss of memory, impaired cognitive thinking, and results in psychiatric disorders, depression and death. Huntington’s Disease, while present in an individual’s genetic make-up from conception, most frequently becomes symptomatic in mid-life.

There is no cure for HD and no way to stop its progression. It is always fatal due to complications such as pneumonia from aspiration or injuries resulting from falls.  HD is an autosomal dominant disease meaning that if one parent has HD a child will have 50% chance of having it. There is no way to stop the onset of the disease. Life expectancy is generally 10-20 years beyond the emergence of symptoms.

40,000

Americans have HD

20,000

at risk due to inherited gene

2.7/100,000

worldwide

Additional Resources

Summerfield Healthcare Center in Cloverdale, Indiana is one of only 4 facilities nationwide that care specifically and exclusively for patients with Huntington’s Disease.  The BHHDF funds much-needed items that support the special needs of HD patients.

If you or a family member have recently received an HD diagnosis, Courtney Treharn, Social Worker with the IU School of Medicine, HD Center of Excellence may be of assistance.  Courtney can be reached at Email: ctreharn@iupui.edu, Phone: 1 317-274-9657.

How You Can Help

Spread Awareness

Support depends on awareness—the more people know about Huntington’s Disease, the more likely we are to raise the funds necessary to support the research that will find a cure.

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