How Is Huntington’s Disease Treated?

Treatments for Huntington’s disease include symptom management, exercises, genetic testing to help with reproductive decision-making, and experimental treatments aimed at disease modification. There is currently no cure or treatment to reverse the progression of Huntington’s disease.

FDA-Approved Treatments for Huntington’s Disease Chorea 

The only medications that have an FDA indication for treating Huntington’s disease are approved for the management of Huntington’s chorea, a type of involuntary movement.

Medications that have an FDA indication for treating Huntington’s chorea are:

• Xenazine (tetrabenazine)
• Austedo (deuterabenazine)
• Ingrezza (velbenazine)

Treatments for Involuntary Movements 

Involuntary, unplanned, and non-purposeful movements are a common characteristic symptom of Huntington’s disease.

Involuntary movements of Huntington’s disease include:

• Chorea: Slow, writing movements of the neck, arms, legs, or trunk
• Dystonia and dyskinesia: Jerky postures often affecting fingers, face, hands, arms, or feet
• Tremors: Rapid, rhythmic movements
• Nystagmus: Repeated jerking of the eyes

Prescription medications such as levodopa and amantadine that are used for treating other types of movement disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease, may be used.

Exercises and Physical Therapy 

Diminished motor control in Huntington’s disease can include difficulty walking, clumsiness, loss of coordination, falls, and impaired control of arms and legs. Medical or surgical treatment can’t reverse or slow the progression of the diminished motor control of Huntington’s disease. Therapeutic exercises or lifestyle strategies are usually recommended.

Therapeutic interventions for lack of motor control in Huntington’s disease include:

These treatments and devices can be adapted as the disease progresses.

Mood Disorder Therapy

Huntington’s disease can cause mood disorders, including apathy, depression, anxiety, and irritability. Treatment for these symptoms can include prescription medication, counseling, and behavioral therapy.

Complementary approaches can be helpful as well:

• Meditation
• Acupuncture
• Massage
• Electrical stimulation devices

Managing Dementia 

Diminished cognitive skills in Huntington’s disease include:

• Memory loss
• Trouble paying attention
• Lack of concentration
• Impaired decision-making and problem-solving

Many people who develop dementia associated with Huntington’s disease need help with daily tasks, such as eating and getting dressed. Sometimes cognitive therapy may help prolong independence by using strategies such as calendars, setting reminders, and simplifying daily life.

Psychiatric Intervention 

Huntington’s disease can cause behavioral changes that are defined as symptoms of psychosis. This can include hallucinations, delusions, and obsessive-compulsive behavior.

Medications often prescribed to manage psychiatric symptoms in Huntington’s disease include:

• Risperdal (risperidone)
• Abilify (aripiprazole)
• Zyprexa (olanzapine)

Genetic Testing and Counseling 

Huntington’s disease is a hereditary condition that is passed on from parent to child in an autosomal dominant pattern. This means that if a child inherits one gene that causes Huntington’s disease from either of their parents, they will eventually develop the disease.

If you or your partner has a family history of Huntington’s disease, genetic testing can help you with reproductive decision-making.

Disease-Modifying Treatment

Currently, no treatment can change the outcome of Huntington’s disease. Some experimental treatments are designed to modify the gene or the biological changes that result from it to help slow down, prevent, or cure Huntington’s disease. So far, no emerging treatment has proven effective.

If you or a loved one has the gene for Huntington’s disease or has been diagnosed with Huntington’s disease, you might consider looking for an ongoing clinical trial to see if you qualify and to consider whether you would like to participate. Clinical trials test new treatments to see if they are safe and effective.