Treatment Options For Huntington's Disease

Antidepressants

Psychiatric disorders are not uncommon with Huntington’s disease, and the most common disorder in this category that patients experience is depression. This can happen due to realizing their diagnosis, though experts believe it is more likely that injury to the brain is the cause of the depression when it is associated with Huntington's disease. Brain function also changes as the disease progresses, which may also be a contributing factor.

Antidepressants are often prescribed to patients who experience depression as a symptom of Huntington’s disease. The medicines most commonly given include citalopram, fluoxetine, escitalopram, and sertraline. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is also possible with Huntington’s disease, and these medications might also be prescribed as treatment. Patients taking these medications should be monitored, and their doctor might also recommend psychotherapy as a complement to antidepressants.

Continue reading to learn about more options when it comes to treating Huntington's disease.