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Aggression in Huntington's disease: a systematic review of rates of aggression and treatment methods

Caroline A Fisher1, Katherine Sewell2, Anahita Brown2

  • 1Child and Youth Mental Health Service, Adolescent Inpatient Psychiatric Unit, Box Hill Hospital, Eastern Health, Melbourne, Australia Brain Disorders Program, Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia.

Journal of Huntington'S Disease
|January 11, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Aggression is common in Huntington's disease (HD), affecting 22-66% of patients. Current treatments lack evidence, highlighting the need for rigorous research into effective interventions for aggression in HD.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Psychiatry
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Aggression is a frequent symptom in individuals with Huntington's disease (HD).
  • Factors contributing to aggression in HD are not well understood.
  • Existing research on aggression in HD lacks clear determination of associated features.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review the prevalence of aggression in Huntington's disease.
  • To investigate and evaluate treatment options for aggression in HD patients.
  • To identify factors associated with aggression in the HD population.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic literature review.
  • Analysis of studies reporting aggression rates in Huntington's disease.
  • Examination of reported interventions for aggression in HD.

Main Results:

  • Prevalence of aggression in HD is high, ranging from 22% to 66% in most studies.
  • Aggression may be more prevalent in males with HD, those with frequent falls, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and suicidal ideation.
  • Limited research exists on aggression antecedents in HD, and current medication and non-medication therapies lack sufficient evidence for recommendations due to methodological limitations.

Conclusions:

  • Further methodologically rigorous studies are essential for understanding and treating aggression in Huntington's disease.
  • Current pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions for aggression in HD require more robust research to establish efficacy.
  • Identifying specific antecedents and effective treatments for aggression in HD remains a critical unmet need.

Keywords:
AggressionHuntington's diseaseprevalencetherapytreatment

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