The Psychiatrist and Huntington's Disease (Chorea)
JOHN R. WHITTIER M.D.1,
AUDREY HEIMLER M.S.2, , and
CHARLES KORENYI M.D.3
1 Director of Psychiatric Research, Creedmoor Institute for Psychobiologic Studies, Creedmoor State Hospital, Queens Village, N.Y. 11427
2 Genetic Counselor, Creedmoor Institute for Psychobiologic Studies, Creedmoor State Hospital, Queens Village, N.Y. 11427
3 Associate Research Scientist (Psychiatry), Creedmoor Institute for Psychobiologic Studies, Creedmoor State Hospital, Queens Village, N.Y. 11427
Huntington's disease is inherited and is usually not detectable until after the affected individual marries and produces children. As genetic knowledge increases there will be a growing awareness of its personal significance to members of kindreds having a history of this disease and more requests for psychiatrists' involvement in genetic counseling. For these reasons it is important that the psychiatric profession be alerted to the particular needs of this group of patients.
