Huntington's disease: Managing neuropsychiatric symptoms in Huntington's disease

Australas Psychiatry. 2018 Aug;26(4):376-380. doi: 10.1177/1039856218766120. Epub 2018 Apr 24.

Abstract

Objectives: This clinical update review focuses on the management of the neuropsychiatric manifestations of Huntington's disease (HD). The review highlights current issues regarding pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment, putative therapeutics and recent relevant research findings in this area.

Conclusions: Neuropsychiatric symptoms may precede the classic motor clinical symptoms of HD (prodromal HD) by decades and cause significant functional impairment. Early recognition and comprehensive non-pharmacological, usually in combination with pharmacological, treatment is essential.

Keywords: huntington’s disease; neuropsychiatric symptoms; psychiatry.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Behavioral Symptoms / drug therapy
  • Behavioral Symptoms / etiology
  • Behavioral Symptoms / therapy*
  • Bipolar Disorder / drug therapy
  • Bipolar Disorder / etiology
  • Bipolar Disorder / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Huntington Disease / complications
  • Huntington Disease / drug therapy
  • Huntington Disease / therapy*
  • Mood Disorders / drug therapy
  • Mood Disorders / etiology
  • Mood Disorders / therapy*
  • Psychiatric Rehabilitation / methods*
  • Psychotherapy / methods*
  • Psychotic Disorders / drug therapy
  • Psychotic Disorders / etiology
  • Psychotic Disorders / therapy*