During an assessment, the physician will look for very specific characteristics such as the body site distribution of presenting motor symptoms, possible ataxia, eye movement abnormalities, seizures, speed of progression and cognitive and behavioral features. Basic ancillary investigations, including routine blood tests, MRI’s and CT imaging scans of the brain provide additional information to the diagnostic work-up and should be performed prior to any genetic testing for Huntington’s disease (Martino, Stamelou, & Bhatia, 2012). One of the most conducive identifiers that a physician will look for in patients suspected of having the genetic abnormality is a gait disorder. A gait disorder is characterized by the inability to sustain posture, resulting in frequent falls and knee buckling. Without a complete family history, these indicators have the ability to provide the doctor with sufficient information to conclude a diagnosis (Martino et al.,
During an assessment, the physician will look for very specific characteristics such as the body site distribution of presenting motor symptoms, possible ataxia, eye movement abnormalities, seizures, speed of progression and cognitive and behavioral features. Basic ancillary investigations, including routine blood tests, MRI’s and CT imaging scans of the brain provide additional information to the diagnostic work-up and should be performed prior to any genetic testing for Huntington’s disease (Martino, Stamelou, & Bhatia, 2012). One of the most conducive identifiers that a physician will look for in patients suspected of having the genetic abnormality is a gait disorder. A gait disorder is characterized by the inability to sustain posture, resulting in frequent falls and knee buckling. Without a complete family history, these indicators have the ability to provide the doctor with sufficient information to conclude a diagnosis (Martino et al.,