Huntington’s Disease

University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics coordinates the diagnosis, treatment, and counseling of individuals and families coping with Huntington’s disease or at risk for Huntington’s disease.

Request an Appointment

For requests:

1-800-777-8442

For Neurology related requests:: 1-319-356-2572

For Neurosurgery related requests:: 1-319-356-2237

For Psychiatry related requests:: 1-319-353-6314

Our multidisciplinary team offers a full range of services including assessment of the three primary areas affected by the disease

Cognitive assessment

Strengths and weaknesses in the thinking processes are evaluated by a neuropsychologist

Functional and behavioral assessment

Current mood and level of day-to-day functioning is evaluated by a psychiatrist

Motor assessment

Movement (chorea), posturing, rigidity, and balance are evaluated by a neurologist.

Patients and their families will also be assessed for other health care needs such as speech therapy or genetic counseling and testing at the clinic.

We also provide presymptomatic genetic testing and counseling to people who have a family history of Huntington's disease. This allows people who are at risk for Huntington's disease know if they will develop symptoms at some point in the future. We follow Huntington's Disease Society of America guidelines for presymptomatic testing to provide people support and education during this difficult process.

Children with juvenile onset Huntington's Disease receive care at University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital.

Huntington's Disease Society of America Center of Excellence

The Huntington's Disease Clinic is one of several services offered by the University of Iowa Huntington's Disease Society of America Center of Excellence. The Huntington's Disease Society of America has designated the University of Iowa as one of 21 centers at major academic facilities throughout the United States where people with Huntington's disease and their families receive comprehensive medical, psychological, and social services as well as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and genetic counseling.