Speech and language delay are early manifestations of juvenile-onset Huntington disease

Neurology. 2006 Oct 10;67(7):1265-7. doi: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000238390.86304.4e.

Abstract

The neurocognitive features of juvenile-onset Huntington disease (HD) are not well understood. We present three patients with onset of HD symptoms before age 10 years in whom speech delay was the first symptom. Speech delay predated motor symptoms by at least 2 years, and language function was consistently impaired on formal testing. Screening for speech delay is particularly important in children with a family history of HD.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Huntington Disease / complications*
  • Huntington Disease / diagnosis*
  • Infant
  • Language Development Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Language Development Disorders / etiology*
  • Male
  • Prognosis