North Scotland among highest rates in world

According to a new study, Northern Scotland is one of the highest rates of Huntington’s disease in the world.

Huntington is a hereditary disorder that gradually damages the brain, affecting the ability to walk, talk, drink, decide and live independently. Currently there is no cure.

The study confirmed that the rate of Huntington’s disease in Northern Scotland is 14.5 per 100,000 people – an estimated worldwide of 2.71 over five times worldwide.

Researchers at the University of Aberdeen found that Grampian, Highland, Orchney, Shetland and Western Islands have more than 160 adults who have genes, but have not been tested.

Each child of an affected person has a 50:50 chance to inherit the neurodynative gene that causes Huntington.

Researchers stated that on average, every person who has been detected Huntington’s disease will have at least one and 2.2 relatives who have genes, meaning that there are hundreds of people in Northern Scotland who can be considered for effective treatment in the northern Scotland, the researchers said.

Previous studies have seen the number of people conducting positive tests mainly for genes, then estimated the number of relatives at risk using statistical modeling.

In the new study, a colleague reviewed in a medical journal, scientists, scientists used the family tree clinical record to count how many people have inherited the condition, but have not been tested.

It is expected that the findings can help in planning the families affected by the future and accelerate future investment in expert care.

Alastair Haval, Chief Executive of the Scottish Huntington Association, said that expert services were not “alternative additional”, but “fully required”.

He said, “Expert Huntington’s services need to be extended immediately – a message further reinforced by this new and clear evidence that is the major implications for health and social care providers throughout Scotland,” he said.

The research was led by Professor Zosia Midizybrodzaka and Clinical Lead by Professor Zosia Midizybrodeska and Clinical Lead for Huntington’s disease in NHS Grampion with NHS Grampian, NHS Grampion.

They say that the decision to be tested for genes is completely a personal choice. Although some people want to know if they have inherited Huntington’s genes, others do not like until they develop symptoms.

“Previous work noticed how many people in the region have been tested for Huntington’s disease, which have been diagnosed with signs of Huntington and a gene change people who would develop a situation in later life,” pro -midziabrodazka explained.

“However, no one has counted properly how many people have not been tested, yet there should be genes.

“It is important that we know this, and it is accurate, so that the health boards can plan for proper care and treatment when they become available in the future.”

Heather Kricashank said that despite the high rate of testing, most people at risk of disease growth in Scotland have not done testing.

“Huntington’s demand for treatment for Huntington’s disease is a massive effort worldwide.”

“Services need to be planned to treat these-until these until these people are currently diagnosed with those who are currently diagnosed.

“Regional variations in rates will become more important including genetic counseling and testing, management and treatment distribution.”

He said: “A test is an independent option for the people of Huntington Disease families and our research means that care can be planned for all those at risk, without those who do not want to do a test.”

The More Hopman’s 69 -year -old Brian Wat, a former whiskey distillery manager who received his diagnosis in 2016.

“I knew that my family had Huntington’s disease – both my father and my sister were diagnosed,” he said.

“I was not sure to move forward with the test, but I am glad I did.”

Bryan walks to two of his dogs every day on Hopman Beach.

He believes that it is important to be busy with Huntington and have an excited approach.

He said, “Zosia (Professor MidiziBrodazka) said to me the best way to manage Huntington’s disease with lifestyle, attitude and balance of medicine and I think it’s a spot-on,” he said.

“I try to have a healthy lifestyle and positive attitude and I’m just fixing it.”

62 -year -old Sandy Patience, 62 -year -old innovation, revealed the disease in 2017.

He lost relatives for the disease, and at that time remember his wife Laura’s support.

“I told Laura,” This is a game changer in our 20 years – please you can leave me and live the rest of your life with someone else. “

“But he did not, because his love for me is so big for him. We are very blessed, and I can’t imagine life without my soul – if I feel down then he picks me up.”

He said: “This is a great opportunity for other people like me, to make a big jump and consider testing.

“I want everyone to know that positive testing is not the end of the world, it can also be better family relationships and countless other positive things.”

Huntington’s disease is an inherited condition that works properly to parts of the brain and is usually fatal within 20 years of the first appearance of symptoms.

These include difficulty in focusing, depression, stumble and clumsyness, involuntary shocks, moods and personality changes, problems swallowing, speaking and breathing.

They usually begin between the ages of 30 and 50 and slowly deteriorate over time.

Currently there is no cure, but treatment may help in dealing with certain symptoms.

Source: NHS website