Understanding Alzheimer, Parkinson and Huntington Disease | Blog

Understanding Alzheimer Parkinson and Huntington Disease

March 04 2025 TalktoAngel 0 comments 201 Views

Neurodegenerative diseases are progressive conditions that cause the degeneration or death of nerve cells, leading to cognitive, motor, and behavioral impairments. These diseases primarily affect the brain and nervous system, leading to a decline in memory, thinking abilities, movement coordination, and emotional stability. Common neurodegenerative disorders include Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease, all of which result in significant functional and psychological impairments.

The hallmark symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases can be categorized into three main groups:

Cognitive symptoms – Memory loss, confusion, difficulty in problem-solving, language deficits, and impaired judgment.
Motor symptoms – Tremors, muscle stiffness, loss of balance, and difficulty in movement.
Behavioral and emotional symptoms – Mood changes, depression, anxiety, and personality alterations.

Neurodegenerative disorders disproportionately affect older adults, with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's primarily occurring in individuals over 60 years old. However, Huntington's disease is a genetic condition that typically manifests between the ages of 30 and 50. Aging, genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices play significant roles in the onset and progression of these diseases. Understanding these conditions is essential for early diagnosis, management, and improving patients’ quality of life.

Alzheimer’s Disease: The Most Prevalent Cause of Dementia

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder and the leading cause of dementia worldwide. It is characterized by the progressive accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain, leading to neuronal death and brain shrinkage (Selkoe & Hardy, 2016). The disease progresses gradually, with early symptoms of memory loss developing into severe cognitive impairment, affecting daily functioning.

Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease

The symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease can be categorized based on its progression. Early-stage symptoms include Mild forgetfulness, difficulty recalling recent events, losing items frequently, and subtle personality changes. Moderate-stage symptoms include Increased confusion, difficulty recognizing family members, trouble with language and speech, poor judgment, and mood swings. And late-stage symptoms include severe memory loss, inability to communicate, loss of motor abilities, and dependence on caregivers for basic activities.

Treatment Approaches for Alzheimer’s Disease

There is currently no complete cure for Alzheimer's disease, but several treatment approaches can help manage symptoms:

Medications: Cholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil, rivastigmine) help improve cognitive function, while NMDA receptor antagonists (memantine) slow disease progression (Cummings et al., 2019). Note: Medicine is to be only taken under professional and licensed Neurologists or Geriatric Psychiatrists.
Lifestyle Interventions: Regular exercise, a Mediterranean diet, and cognitive activities such as puzzles and reading can slow cognitive decline (Livingston et al., 2020).
Behavioural Therapy: Supportive therapy helps manage depression, agitation, and social withdrawal in patients.

Parkinson’s Disease: A Progressive Movement Disorder

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects movement due to the degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra of the brain. This loss of dopamine leads to the hallmark symptoms of Parkinson’s, including tremors, rigidity, and bradykinesia (slow movement) (Obeso et al., 2017). The disease affects approximately 1% of individuals over the age of 60, with men being more susceptible than women.

Signs and Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease presents with both motor and non-motor symptoms: Motor symptoms include: Tremors (shaking), muscle rigidity, bradykinesia, postural instability, and difficulty initiating movements. And non-motor symptoms include Depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, cognitive impairment, and autonomic dysfunction (e.g., constipation, blood pressure irregularities).

Treatment Approaches for Parkinson’s Disease

While Parkinson’s disease has no cure, several treatments help manage symptoms and improve patient's quality of life:

Medications: Dopamine replacement therapy, such as levodopa combined with carbidopa, is the most effective treatment (Kalia & Lang, 2015). Other medications include dopamine agonists and MAO-B inhibitors. *Note: Medicine is to be only taken under professional and licensed Neurologists or Geriatric Psychiatrists.

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS): A surgical procedure that involves implanting electrodes into the brain to reduce motor symptoms.

Physical Therapy and Exercise: Regular movement, such as tai chi or dance therapy, helps improve balance and motor coordination.
Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy: Therapy can help patients cope with mood disorders associated with Parkinson’s.

Huntington’s Disease: A Genetic Disorder Affecting Movement and Cognition

Huntington’s disease (HD) is a rare genetic disorder caused by a mutation in the HTT gene, leading to the abnormal expansion of CAG trinucleotide repeats. This results in the progressive degeneration of neurons in the basal ganglia, leading to movement, cognitive, and psychiatric disturbances (Walker, 2017). Unlike Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, Huntington’s disease is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, meaning that a child of an affected parent has a 50% chance of inheriting the disorder.

Signs and Symptoms of Huntington’s Disease

Huntington’s disease typically manifests between ages 30 and 50, with symptoms worsening over time:

Early-stage symptoms: Mood swings, irritability, difficulty in concentration, and subtle involuntary movements (chorea).

Mid-stage symptoms: Increased difficulty in coordination, slurred speech, cognitive decline, and emotional instability.

Late-stage symptoms: Severe motor dysfunction, loss of speech, dementia, and complete dependence on caregivers.

Treatment Approaches for Huntington’s Disease

Although there is no cure for Huntington’s disease, treatments focus on symptom management and improving quality of life:

Medications: Tetrabenazine and deutetrabenazine help control chorea, while antidepressants and antipsychotic medications manage mood symptoms (Frank, 2014). Note: Medicine is to be only taken under professional and licensed Neurologists or Geriatric Psychiatrists.
Physical and Occupational Therapy: Helps improve mobility, coordination, and daily function.
Speech Therapy: Assists with communication difficulties as the disease progresses.
Psychological Support: Counseling, therapy and support groups help individuals and families cope with the emotional burden of the disease.

How Mental Health Counseling and Therapy can help in managing Neurodegenerative Diseases

Mental health counselling and therapy play a crucial role in helping individuals and families cope with the emotional and psychological burden of neurodegenerative diseases. Patients often experience anxiety, depression, frustration, and grief as they navigate disease progression. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is effective in reducing anxiety and depression in patients with neurodegenerative diseases (Kangas et al., 2013). Therapy helps patients develop coping strategies to manage frustration, maintain social engagement, and improve their overall well-being. Family counselling is also beneficial, as caregivers often experience high levels of stress and burnout. Online therapy platforms, such as TalktoAngel, offer accessible individual counselling, and family counselling services tailored to individuals and families dealing with chronic neurological conditions.

Conclusion

Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s disease present significant cognitive, motor, and emotional challenges. While there is no cure, a combination of medication, lifestyle modifications, physical therapy, and mental health counselling can help manage symptoms and enhance the quality of life. Seeking professional guidance from TalktoAngel, a trusted online mental health platform, can provide individuals with access to the best psychologists in India for support, therapy, and coping strategies. By promoting early diagnosis, raising awareness, and ensuring comprehensive care, those affected by these conditions can navigate their journey with dignity and the right support system.

Contributed by: Dr. R K Suri, Clinical Psychologist & Life Coach & Mr. Utkarsh Yadav, Counselling Psychologist

References

Cummings, J., Lee, G., Nahed, P., Zhong, K., Fonseca, J., & Taghva, K. (2019). Alzheimer’s disease drug development pipeline: 2019. Alzheimer's & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions, 5, 272-293.
Frank, S. (2014). Treatment of Huntington’s disease. Neurotherapeutics, 11(1), 153-160.
Kalia, L. V., & Lang, A. E. (2015). Parkinson’s disease. The Lancet, 386(9996), 896-912.
Kangas, M., Miloff, A., & McCabe, R. (2013). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for depression and anxiety in individuals with neurodegenerative diseases: A systematic review. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 75(2), 129-136.
Livingston, G., Sommerlad, A., Orgeta, V., Costafreda, S. G., Huntley, J., Ames, D., ... & Mukadam, N. (2020). Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2020 report of the Lancet Commission. The Lancet, 396(10248), 413-446.
Walker, F. O. (2017). Huntington's disease. The Lancet, 369(9557), 218-228.