Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 12, 2025
09:06
Whole-brain Segmentation and Change-point Analysis of Anatomical Brain MRI—Application in Premanifest Huntington's Disease
Published on: June 9, 2018
12.5K
Understanding HD Psychosis: An Analysis from the ENROLL-HD Database
Ashwin Jaini1, Jacob Yomtoob1, Chen Yeh2
1Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, US.
Tremor and Other Hyperkinetic Movements (New York, N.Y.)
|August 11, 2020
Summary
Psychosis in Huntington's Disease (HD) is more common than previously thought, affecting nearly 13% of patients. It is linked to specific demographic factors, psychiatric conditions, and reduced cognitive and functional abilities.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Psychosis is considered rare in Huntington's Disease (HD), with estimates ranging from 3-11%.
- Despite its perceived rarity, psychosis significantly impacts quality of life and disease burden in HD patients.
- This study investigates the prevalence, onset, and severity of psychosis in HD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of psychosis in manifest Huntington's Disease.
- To identify demographic and disease characteristics associated with psychosis in HD.
- To understand the onset and severity of psychosis in the context of HD progression.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Enroll-HD database, including 7,966 adults with manifest Huntington's Disease.
- Employed descriptive statistics to summarize participant characteristics.
- Used simple logistic regression to identify factors associated with psychosis, calculating odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals.
Main Results:
- A history of psychosis was reported in 12.95% of manifest HD participants, higher than previously estimated.
- The mean age of psychosis onset (48.34 years) coincided with the typical onset age for Huntington's Disease.
- Psychosis was significantly associated with lower education, unemployment, single marital status, depression, decreased verbal fluency, and reduced functional capacity.
Conclusions:
- Psychosis in Huntington's Disease is more prevalent than previously reported in scientific literature.
- Psychosis in HD is associated with demographic, psychiatric, cognitive, and functional factors.
- Identifying these associated features can aid in predicting psychosis onset and improving its management in HD patients.
