Huntington's Disease : Prevention

Genetic counseling is advised if there is a family history of Huntington's disease. Experts also recommend genetic counseling for couples with a family history of this disease who are considering having children.

Genetic counseling is a process in which a qualified professional shares information about genetic conditions. This information includes specifics about the condition in question, tests used to identify that condition, and help in understanding any laboratory test results. This helps parents, potential parents, and affected individuals make informed and educated decisions for themselves and their children.

Genetic counseling is a communication process by which personal genetic risk information is translated into practical information for families. Genetic counselors are health care professionals with specialized training and experience in the areas of medical genetics and counseling. Genetic counselors are able to assist families by: Helping families understand information about birth defects or genetic disorders . This includes explaining patterns of inheritance , recurrence risks, natural history of diseases, and genetic testing options. Providing nondirective supportive counseling regarding emotional issues related to a diagnosis or testing options. Helping individuals or families make decisions that they are comfortable with based on their personal ethical and religious standards. Connecting families with appropriate resources, such as support groups or specific types of medical clinics, locally and nationally.

Genetic counseling aims to facilitate the exchange of information regarding a person's genetic legacy. It attempts to: accurately diagnose a disorder assess the risk of recurrence in the concerned family members and their relatives provide alternatives for decision-making provide support groups that will help family members cope with the recurrence of a disorder

Detailed information on when to seek genetic counseling

Genetic counseling is a communication process by which personal genetic risk information is translated into practical information for families. Genetic counselors are health care professionals with specialized training and experience in the areas of medical genetics and counseling. Genetic counselors are able to assist individuals and families by: Helping people to understand information about birth defects or genetic disorders. This includes explaining patterns of inheritance, recurrence risks, natural history of diseases, and genetic testing options. Providing nondirective supportive counseling regarding emotional issues related to a diagnosis or testing options. Helping individuals and families make decisions with which they are comfortable, based on their personal ethical and religious standards. Connecting individuals and families with appropriate resources, such as support groups or specific types of medical clinics, locally and nationally.

Genetic counseling is a communication process by which personal genetic risk information is translated into practical information for families. Genetic counselors are health care professionals with specialized training and experience in the areas of medical genetics and counseling. Genetic counselors are able to assist families by: Helping families understand information about birth defects or genetic disorders . This includes explaining patterns of inheritance , recurrence risks, natural history of diseases, and genetic testing options. Providing nondirective supportive counseling regarding emotional issues related to a diagnosis or testing options. Helping individuals or families make decisions that they are comfortable with based on their personal ethical and religious standards. Connecting families with appropriate resources, such as support groups or specific types of medical clinics, locally and nationally.

A branch of science that attempts to understand the fundamental biologic makeup of organisms by examining the genetic blueprints in each cell The nucleus of every cell holds the key to nearly every visible and invisible feature of the human body, from the color of hair to the pumping capacity of the heart. In each nucleus of every cell there are 23 pair of chromosomes (46 total). One pair of these chromosomes determines the sex of the child while the other 22 pair determine all the other components of the human body. Chromosomes contain genes which influence the production of proteins and thus influence all aspects of body structure and function. There is a tremendous amount of information encoded in the nearly 100,000 genes in each cell Geneticists and molecular biologists work to identify the variations that exist between animals or humans by studying the changes that occur during the cell's division. The alterations that take place during the development of any organism may include mutations, insertions, deletions, or translocation during the copying of genetic material from one cell to the other. These changes are the basis for chromosomal abnormalities such as in Down syndrome or trisomy 18, where there is an extra or missing chromosome material in the embryo, or in singlegene disorders like sickle-cell anemia and cystic fibrosis, which are caused by a small change on a single gene called a point mutation. The study of human genetics is less than 100 years old and yet in the last century scientists have identified over 400 genes that cause a variety of diseases from sickle-cell anemia and Down syndrome to high cholesterol and depression. In addition science has been able to elucidate the inheritance pattern of disease in certain families.

Information about a patient's family history is valuable in assessing the risk of mental illness. Within the field of psychiatry, the importance of genetic counseling is growing, but on its own it cannot provide all the answers.