Cognitive impairment and behavioural difficultes in patients with Huntington's disease

Huntington's disease (HD) is a degenerative, neurological disorder that has physical, psychological and cognitive effects. A review of the nursing literature on HD suggests that the main focus has been on explaining and managing the physical and psychological symptoms that arise. Cognitive symptoms appear to be only briefly discussed in most articles, perhaps because they are often the most difficult to explain and understand. This article examines the link between cognition and behaviour in patients with HD and suggests strategies to manage some of these behaviours.