What inheritance pattern does Huntington's Disease follow?

What inheritance pattern does Huntington's Disease follow?

• A. Autosomal recessive
• B. Autosomal dominant
• C. X-linked recessive
• D. Mitochondrial inheritance

Answer: (B)

Huntington's Disease follows an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern, which means that only one copy of the mutated gene from an affected parent is sufficient to cause the disorder in offspring. This results in a 50% probability that each child of an affected individual will inherit the disease. Individuals who inherit the mutated gene will typically develop the symptoms of the disease, which can include movements disorders and cognitive decline, usually manifesting in mid-adulthood. In this inheritance pattern, both males and females are equally likely to be affected, and the disease can be passed down through generations without skipping, as each affected person has the potential to transmit the allele to their children. The gene involved in Huntington's Disease is located on chromosome 4, which is why it adheres to the autosomal classification rather than being linked to sex chromosomes or maternal lineage. This clarity in how the disease is inherited helps in understanding familial patterns of the disorder and the risks for future generations.

Huntington's Disease follows an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern, which means that only one copy of the mutated gene from an affected parent is sufficient to cause the disorder in offspring. This results in a 50% probability that each child of an affected individual will inherit the disease. Individuals who inherit the mutated gene will typically develop the symptoms of the disease, which can include movements disorders and cognitive decline, usually manifesting in mid-adulthood.

In this inheritance pattern, both males and females are equally likely to be affected, and the disease can be passed down through generations without skipping, as each affected person has the potential to transmit the allele to their children. The gene involved in Huntington's Disease is located on chromosome 4, which is why it adheres to the autosomal classification rather than being linked to sex chromosomes or maternal lineage. This clarity in how the disease is inherited helps in understanding familial patterns of the disorder and the risks for future generations.