Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 10, 2026

Walk with Me Hybrid Virtual/In-Person Walking for Older Adults with Neurodegenerative Disease
Published on: June 16, 2023
Important but not Enough - Information about HD Related Topics and Peer and Professional Support for Young Adults
Ulrike Braisch1, Saul Martinez-Horta2, Marcy MacDonald3
1Institute of Epidemiology and Medical Biometry, Ulm University, Germany.
Insights
Young adults from Huntington
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Public Health
Background:
- Huntington's disease (HD) affects more than just those with symptoms, including gene carriers and their families.
- Young adults in HD families have unmet needs regarding life decisions, psychological support, and medical care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess young adults' perspectives on the importance and availability of HD information and support.
- To understand attitudes towards HD research among this demographic.
Main Methods:
- An anonymous, online questionnaire was administered in ten languages.
- Data collected included importance and availability of HD information, support, and research attitudes using categorical and Likert scale responses.
Main Results:
- Young adults highly value HD information and peer/professional support.
- Most respondents reported insufficient information on legal advice and inadequate support from healthcare professionals, except for general HD info and predictive testing.
- HD research is highly valued, but participation rates are low.
Conclusions:
- Identified unmet needs in information and support for young adults in HD families.
- Findings can inform strategies to improve support services and increase research participation among young adults affected by Huntington's disease.
Background:
The number of people affected by Huntington's disease (HD) is far greater than those with manifest HD because it also includes those at risk, both HD gene mutation carriers and family members not carrying the HD mutation. Many relevant needs of young adults from HD families may not be met at present. This includes advice on important life decisions e.g. family planning and having children, psychological support and treatment of medical conditions.
Objective:
To survey the opinion of young adults from HD families about relevance and availability of information and support regarding several aspects of HD.
Methods:
An online anonymous questionnaire translated into ten languages contained questions regarding the importance and availability of information and support about HD related topics, and attitudes towards research. Answers were captured in categories or on Likert scales.
Results:
Information about HD related topics and the availability of peer and professional support are very important for young adults from HD families. In addition, with the exception of general information about HD, or predictive testing, the vast majority of respondents stated that they did not receive enough information on other important topics, for instance regarding legal advice and they did not feel supported enough by healthcare professionals. HD research was considered to be of high value, though most did not participate in HD research.
Conclusion:
The results of this survey can help devise a strategy to address these unmet needs and also to facilitate research participation of more young adults from HD families.
Related Concept Videos
Self-Help Support Groups
Accessibility and Cost-Effectiveness
One of the primary strengths of self-help...
Parkinson's Disease: Overview
Parkinson's Disease: Treatment
Parkinson's Disease is primarily a result of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The cornerstone of...
Influence of Parents and Peers on Identity
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth....
Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment
Relationship with Other Adult Family Members and Siblings

