[Patients at the memory clinic with choreatic movements]

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Geriatrics
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Memory clinics often encounter diagnostic uncertainty in patients with suspected dementia.
• Early-stage Huntington's disease can present with subtle psychiatric symptoms, complicating initial assessments.

Observation:

• Two patients referred to a memory clinic exhibited choreatic movements during physical examination.
• Previous diagnoses were questioned based on observed clinical signs.

Findings:

• Repeat diagnostic testing confirmed Huntington's disease in both patients.
• The diagnosis was challenging due to the prodromal psychiatric manifestations of HD-related dementia.

Implications:

• Geriatricians must consider re-evaluating patients in memory clinics when new insights arise.
• Repeated diagnostic assessments are essential for accurate nosologic diagnosis, particularly for complex neurodegenerative diseases like Huntington's.
• Early identification of Huntington's disease is critical for patient management and care planning.