are there any other names for huntington's disease
Huntington's disease Huntington's disease (HD), also known as Huntington's chorea, is an inherited disorder that results in death of brain cells.[4] The earliest symptoms are often subtle problems with mood or mental abilities.[1] A general lack of coordination and an unsteady gait often follow.[2] As the disease advances, uncoordinated, jerky body movements become more apparent.[1] Physical abilities gradually worsen until coordinated movement becomes difficult and the person is unable to talk.[1][2] Mental abilities generally decline into dementia.[3] The specific symptoms vary somewhat between people.[1] Symptoms usually begin between 30 and 50 years of age, but can start at any age.[4][3] The disease may develop earlier in life in each successive generation.[1] About eight percent of cases start before the age of 20 years and typically present with symptoms more similar to Parkinson's disease.[3] People with HD often underestimate the degree of their problems.[1]
Thirteen (House) Thirteen has a 50/50 chance of having inherited Huntington's disease from her mother, but she initially refuses to be tested for it as not knowing allows her to live with hope. It is revealed in the season-four finale that she has the mutation for Huntington's.[4] In "Lucky Thirteen", Thirteen says that her Huntington's is more aggressive, greatly decreasing her life expectancy and hastening the onset of symptoms. Initially after being diagnosed, she exhibits sensation seeking: staying out all night, using recreational drugs and having repeated one-night stands with women. She later ceases to behave self-destructively after a near-death experience in the episode "Last Resort", wherein she realizes her conviction to live, agreeing to participate in a Huntington's disease drug trial and becoming more active in her attempts to prolong her life.