Related Experiment Videos
Obsessive-Compulsive and Perseverative Behaviors in Huntington's Disease
Mayke Oosterloo1, David Craufurd2,3, Hanneke Nijsten4
1Department of Neurology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Journal of Huntington'S Disease
|February 5, 2019
Summary
Obsessive-compulsive behaviors (OCBs) and perseverative behaviors (PBs) are common in Huntington
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Huntington's disease (HD) is characterized by prevalent neuropsychiatric symptoms.
- The prevalence and progression of obsessive-compulsive behaviors (OCBs) and perseverative behaviors (PBs) in HD are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the existing literature on OCBs and PBs in individuals with Huntington's disease gene expansion carriers (HDGECs).
Main Methods:
- A literature search of the PubMed database was conducted up to 2017.
- Search terms included synonyms for Huntington's disease and terms related to OCBs and PBs.
Main Results:
- Prevalence rates for OCBs ranged from 5% to 52%, and for PBs up to 75%, varying by disease stage and measurement scale.
- OCBs were more frequent in premanifest and manifest HDGECs compared to controls.
- OCBs and PBs correlated with disease duration and severity but decreased in advanced stages.
Conclusions:
- OCBs and PBs are characteristic neuropsychiatric features of HD.
- Distinguishing between OCBs and PBs is crucial for effective management and treatment in HDGECs.