Making the Diagnosis
During a physical exam, a doctor will look for irregular and uncontrolled
movements and signs of muscle deterioration or reduced mental/intellectual function.
A family history of the disease will help diagnose Huntington's disease, and
DNA analysis will detect genetic defects. Other possible tests include computed
topography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to look
for areas of the brain (caudate nucleus) that may have atrophied
(decreased in size).