Neuropsychiatric phenomena in Huntington’s disease

Reedeker, W. (2016)

Doctoral Thesis

This thesis describes a study on neuropsychiatric symptoms in Huntington’s Disease (HD). This cohort study was performed in HD mutation carriers (both pre-motor symptomatic and motor symptomatic), and a control group of non-carriers that had an a-priori 50% risk for HD. The study started in may 2004 and a second measurement was performed 2 years later. The aim of this study was to study the presence and course of both formal psychiatric disorders and neuropsychiatric symptoms, and to find correlates and predictors associated with the psychiatric phenomena.

This cohort study confirms that neuropsychiatric symptoms   frequently occur in patients with HD. We expected a diminished insight in patients with a neuropsychiatric symptoms like irritability, but most patients were aware of their irritability. A strong relationship was found between the presence of psychopathology, cognitive functioning and global daily functioning.

Irritability may be an early sign of the disease, but only apathy was closely related to the progression of HD indicating a relationship with the progressive neurodegenerative nature of the disease. However, we also found associations with apathy and irritability, and the use of psychotropic medications.

 

• Huntington’s disease
• Behavioural symptoms
• Apathy
• Irritability
• Longitudinal
• Depressive disorder
• Course

• All authors: Reedeker, W.
• Supervisor: Mast, R.C. van der; Roos, R.A.C.
• Co-supervisor: Duijn, E. van
• Committee: Tibben, A.; Kremer, H.P.H.; Tendolkar, I.
• Qualification: Doctor (dr.)
• Awarding Institution: Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden University
• Date: 2016-05-12
• ISBN (print): 9789462332645