Question

Huntington's disease is a familial and rare inherited neurological disorder affecting up to: a. 8 people per 100,000 b. 1 per 20,000 people of Western European decent c. I per one million in people of Asian and African descent d. All of the above

Short answer

Answer: All of the above. The disease affects 8 people per 100,000, 1 per 20,000 people of Western European descent, and 1 per one million in people of Asian and African descent.

Step-by-step solution

Option a: 8 people per 100,000

Huntington's disease is said to affect 8 people per 100,000. This information could be correct, but we need to analyze the other options as well before making a conclusion.

Option b: 1 per 20,000 people of Western European decent

In this option, the prevalence of Huntington's disease is given as 1 per 20,000 people of Western European descent. This could also be a correct answer, but again, we need to consider the other options.

Option c: 1 per one million in people of Asian and African descent

This option states that the disease affects 1 per one million people of Asian and African descent. While this information might be true, we still need to check the last option.

Option d: All of the above

This option suggests that all the given answers are correct. Since each of the options a, b, and c provides information about the prevalence of Huntington's disease in different populations, it is possible that all of them are true.

Conclusion

Based on our analysis of each option, the correct answer is option d: All of the above. This is because each of the given options provides information about the prevalence of Huntington's disease in different populations, and there is no contradiction between them.

Key concepts

Neurological Disorders

Neurological disorders are diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system. These include the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and muscles. Neurological disorders can affect anyone at any age and can cause a wide range of symptoms depending on the specific disorder.

Some common symptoms of neurological disorders include:

• Memory loss
• Poor coordination
• Numbness or tingling in limbs
• Weakness or loss of muscle strength
• Seizures

Huntington's disease is a specific type of neurological disorder. It is a genetic condition that affects the brain and leads to progressive degeneration of nerve cells. This causes issues with movement, cognition, and mental health. Understanding help with diagnosis, therapeutic development, and caregiving strategies. Knowing this underlines why study of neurological disorders is crucial for public health.

Genetic Inheritance

Genetic inheritance is the process by which genes are passed down from parents to their offspring. Genes are located on chromosomes and determine various traits and predispositions, including susceptibility to certain diseases.

Huntington's disease, specifically, is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. This means that just one copy of the mutated gene, inherited from either parent, is enough to develop the condition. If a parent carries the defective gene, each child has a 50% chance of inheriting it.

Key features of genetic inheritance:

• Traits are determined by pairs of genes, one from each parent.
• Autosomal dominant inheritance requires only one mutated gene to be present.
• Diagnosis and genetic counseling are important tools for managing inherited diseases.

Understanding genetic inheritance, especially in diseases like Huntington's, is vital for affected families as it offers insights into potential risks for future generations.

Population Genetics

Population genetics is the study of genetic variation within populations. It seeks to understand how gene frequencies change under the influence of evolutionary forces such as natural selection, genetic drift, mutation, and migration.

The prevalence of Huntington's disease can differ dramatically between populations. For example:

• More commonly seen in people of Western European descent (1:20,000).
• Significantly rarer in Asian and African populations (1:1,000,000).

These variations highlight the importance of understanding population genetics when studying disease prevalence. Evolutionary history, the environment, and genetic drift contribute to the differences in disease distribution across different groups.

By studying population genetics, scientists gain insights into complex inheritance patterns and develop strategies for disease prevention and management. An appreciation of this field is key to advancing human health through targeted interventions and therapies.