Neuro: Huntington's Disease: Free MSRA Podcast

⚕️ FREE MSRA PODCAST – Huntington’s Disease🎧 A clear, high-yield breakdown of this genetic neurodegenerative disorder – perfect for exam prep and real-life clinical scenarios.🧠 Key Learning Points📌 Definition• A progressive, inherited neurodegenerative disorder affecting motor, cognitive, and psychiatric function.📌 Causes & Risk Factors• Autosomal dominant CAG repeat expansion in HTT gene• Family history (50% inheritance risk)• Anticipation – earlier/more severe in successive generations📌 Pathophysiology• Mutant Huntington protein → toxic buildup in neurons• Neuronal death, especially in basal ganglia (striatum)• Affects GABAergic and cholinergic neurons📌 Symptoms• Motor: chorea, dystonia, bradykinesia• Cognitive: memory loss, poor planning, dementia• Psychiatric: depression, irritability, psychosis• Juvenile HD: learning issues, rigidity, seizures📌 Differential Diagnosis• Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, ataxias• Wilson’s disease, schizophrenia, functional disorders📌 Diagnosis• Genetic test (HTT gene CAG repeat count)• MRI: caudate atrophy• Neuropsychological assessment• Genetic counselling before/after testing📌 Management• Symptom-based: tetrabenazine (chorea), SSRIs, antipsychotics• MDT: neurologist, psychiatry, physio, OT, SALT• Advanced: DBS (rare), feeding support• Palliative planning, support for carers📌 Complications• Aspiration pneumonia• Falls, malnutrition• Severe dementia, suicide risk• Functional decline📌 Prognosis• Onset 30–50 years; survival ~15–20 years post-onset• Disease progression varies; earlier onset = faster decline📎 More MSRA Resources for Huntington’s Disease📝 Revision Notes: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/huntingtons-disease-revision-notes/🧠 Flashcards: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/huntingtons-disease-flashcards/💬 Accordion Q&A Notes: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/huntingtons-disease-accordion-qa-notes/🚀 Rapid Quiz: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/huntingtons-disease-rapid-quiz/🎓 Full Course: https://www.passthemsra.com/courses/neurology-for-the-msra/Hashtags#MSRA #MSRARevision #MSRATextbook #MSRAQuiz #MSRAQuestionBank #MSRAFlashcards #MSRAQANotes #MSRAAccordions #MultiSpecialityRecruitmentAssessment #MSRAOnlineRevision #MSRARevisionWebsite #HuntingtonsDisease #Neurology