Living with Huntington disease-like 2
A rare brain condition of adults with movement, mood, and thinking changes, similar to Huntington disease.
Understanding Huntington disease-like 2
It mainly affects people of African descent. It combines movement, mood, and thinking changes. Movement problems include rapid, jerky motions (chorea), eye movement issues, slow movement, stiffness, and tremor. Mood symptoms include sadness, irritability, and anxiety. Thinking changes can include early cognitive decline and dementia. It begins in adulthood.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Changes in movement
- Personality changes
- Jerky involuntary movements (chorea)
- Sadness, irritability, anxiety
- Slow movement and stiffness
- Early cognitive decline
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include brain and nervous system specialists and genetic specialists.
- 3Consider genetic testing
Changes in JPH3 are linked to this condition. Genetic testing and counseling can help confirm a diagnosis and explain what it means for your family.
- 4Connect with expert centers
Huntington's Disease Society of America may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Brain and nervous system specialists (neurologists); Genetic specialists (geneticists)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: Huntington's Disease Society of America
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Huntington's Disease Society of America and other patient organizations
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
Changes in the JPH3 gene cause this condition. It is autosomal dominant, meaning one changed copy of the gene can be enough to cause it.
Also known as: hdl2; huntington disease-like type 2
Patient organizations
- Huntington's Disease Society of AmericaHuntington disease-like 2 · United States
- Neuroacanthocytosis Advocacy USAHuntington disease-like 2 · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Huntington disease-like 2.
Explore research for Huntington disease-like 2
Explore actively recruiting Huntington disease-like 2 studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Huntington disease-like 2 with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper
I can help you find recruiting Huntington disease-like 2 studies. Enter a ZIP code, address or city below and I'll look within 50 miles.
Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
Get Signals for Huntington disease-like 2
Stay in the loop with community stories and updates from medical researchers.
Create a living journal that talks back
HealthStory evolves private journaling with a living AI journal that talks back and asks thoughtful questions, helping you capture your Huntington disease-like 2 experiences more deeply and prepare for better conversations with your doctors and care team.
Your journal is private. Sharing your story publicly is a separate choice, made with Share your story above.