Psychiatric and Cognitive Difficulties as Indicators of Juvenile Huntington Disease Onset in 29 Patients

A retrospective clinical & genetic review was done to evaluate the diagnosis delay in patients with juvenile Huntington’s Disease. 29 French patients with onset before or at age 20 were studied. The mean delay before diagnosis was 9 years (standard deviation +6/-6). The most remarkable signs at onset were severe psychiatric & cognitive disturbances. 7 of the 29 patients attempted suicide at lease once. Diagnostic delays are thought to be related to atypical first signs of Huntington’s Disease & the absence of a family history of this illness. (21 refs.)