Making the Diagnosis
During a physical exam, a doctor will look for irregular and uncontrolled movements and signs of muscle deterioration or reduced mental or 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).