Huntington's chorea

Rare hereditary disease of the nervous system that usually begins in middle age. It is characterized by involuntary movements (chorea), emotional disturbances, and rapid mental degeneration progressing to dementia. There is no known cure but the genetic mutation giving rise to the disease was located in 1993, making it easier to test individuals for the disease and increasing the chances of developing a cure.

In April 2001, US researchers successfully outlined the molecular process, triggered by mutated genes, that causes the brain damage in cases of Huntington's chorea. This discovery further raises the possibility of the development of drugs to protect the brain.