Which of the following is true of Huntington's disease (HD)?
A) A standard treatment of HD involves L-DOPA.
B) HD is caused by a defective gene on chromosome 4.
C) HD first appears in early childhood.
D) HD is caused by degeneration of the nigrostriatal bundle.
E) Stereotaxically-guided damage to the caudate and putamen is an effective treatment for HD.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

HD is caused by a defective gene on chromosome 4, specifically a mutation in the huntingtin gene. There is no standard treatment for HD, and L-DOPA is not effective in treating HD. HD typically appears in midlife, not in childhood. HD does not involve degeneration of the nigrostriatal bundle, which is associated with Parkinson's disease. Stereotaxically-guided damage to the caudate and putamen is an outdated and controversial treatment for HD that is rarely used today.

Which of the Following Is True of Huntington's Disease (HD)