In observance of Huntington’s Disease Awareness Month, the UConn Health Center is hosting a free symposium on Saturday, May 19 for caregivers, family members and patients.
Bonnie Hennig, a clinical therapist for the Huntington’s Disease Program at the Health Center, says the condition causes parts of the brain to degenerate and effects three areas of functioning (the 3 M’s):
- Mood
- Memory
- Movements
The symptoms typically appear in mid-life (30 to 50 year old). The symptoms can be treated but the disease is eventually fatal.
- Every child born to someone who has HD, has a 50 percent chance of inheriting the gene that causes HD
- If a child does not inherit the gene, they will not get the disease
- If a person has inherited the gene, they will eventually develop symptoms of HD
The Health Center has a five-day-a-week, free clinic located at the Farmington campus. It provides genetic counseling, gene testing, treatment of symptoms, and patient/family support. The clinic is also involved in research and clinical trials.
The Health Center has a monthly support group and will also be hosting a free symposium on May 19 for caregivers, family members and patients.
Huntington’s Disease Symposium
Saturday, May 19
8:30 a.m. till 4 p.m.
Farmington
Free and Open to the Public
Call 860-679-4919 to register.
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