Which of the following are the correct differences between Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease?
(A) Parkinson’s disease is a disorder of middle and old age while Huntington’s disease is a disorder of young.
(B) Parkinson’s disease is a movement disorder while Huntington’s disease is an emotional disorder.
(C) Unlike Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease has a strong genetic base.
(D) Parkinson’s disease is not associated with severe dementia while Huntington’s disease is.

Correct option is B

The correct answer is (C) and (D) only.
(C): Huntington’s disease has a strong genetic basis because it is caused by a mutation in the HTT gene on chromosome 4. This mutation leads to the production of an abnormal form of the huntingtin protein, which accumulates in brain cells, particularly in the basal ganglia and cortex, resulting in neurodegeneration. Parkinson’s disease, on the other hand, is influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors and does not have a single dominant genetic cause.
(D): Parkinson’s disease does not generally cause severe dementia early on. While cognitive impairments may develop, particularly in the advanced stages of the disease, severe dementia is not a primary feature. In contrast, Huntington’s disease is strongly associated with cognitive decline, and the development of dementia is a key symptom that worsens over time, severely impairing memory, reasoning, and decision-making abilities.

Information Booster

Parkinson’s Disease
-Disorder Overview: Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects movement. It is caused by the progressive loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra, a part of the brain that controls movement and coordination.
-Symptoms: It is most commonly characterized by resting tremors, muscle rigidity, slowness of movement (bradykinesia), and postural instability. As the disease progresses, individuals may experience difficulty with balance, speech, and facial expressions. Cognitive changes, such as memory problems or difficulty with executive functions, may occur in later stages, but they do not usually lead to severe dementia in the earlier phases.
-Age of Onset: Parkinson's disease typically affects individuals over the age of 60, although early-onset Parkinson's can occur in some cases.

Huntington’s Disease
-Disorder Overview: Huntington’s disease is a genetic neurodegenerative disorder caused by an expansion of CAG repeats in the HTT gene. This mutation produces the huntingtin protein, which leads to the gradual death of neurons, particularly in the basal ganglia and cortex, affecting motor control, cognition, and emotions.
-Symptoms: The disease is characterized by chorea (involuntary jerky movements), cognitive decline, and psychiatric symptoms such as depression, irritability, and mood swings. The cognitive decline can lead to significant memory impairment, difficulty in problem-solving, and poor decision-making. Over time, these symptoms worsen, and individuals may develop severe dementia.
-Age of Onset: Huntington's disease typically begins in adulthood, usually between the ages of 30 and 40, and progresses over a span of 15–20 years. The earlier the onset, the more severe the progression of the disease.