What disease/condition could this be?

[FourArms]

My sisters boyfriend has told her that he has some sort of condition which he has inherited from his father. His father died of this condition in a care home aged about 60. The only thing she can remember is that his dad didn't know who he was by the time that he died. The bf has been tested and also has this condition.

I know there is something commonly passed from father to son, but can't remember what it is. Hoping if I can find a few 'names' it might jog her memory! Very but it would help her help him if she knew a bit more about what he is facing.

[thumbwitch]

Huntington's chorea?

[Lulumama]

Alzheimers?

they should go to his GP together and find out more especially if it is hereditary , theyu might need/want genetic counselling if they plan to have children

[nailpolish]

alzheimers hasnt been proven to be hereditary though, has it?

[Lulumama]

ok. just thought if he did not know his son by the end of it then alzheimers..

[belgo]

could be huntingdon's

[nailpolish]

alzheimers/dementia is a symptom of huntingtons though, lulu

[Lulumama]

ooooh, i thought it was more to do with seizures

i shall stick to chldbrth i thikn!

i do think a trip to the docs is in order though, to find out more about it.

[FourArms]

Huntingdon's was the one I was thinking of. Thanks. Was looking at Hodgkinson's - got the H's mixed up.

He's apparently had some tests so knows (I'm unsure here as Dsis is foggy on the details) that he has it/will get it. Don't think they can do that for Alzheimers can they?

Off to google.

Thanks for your help. I do think you are right about genetic counselling. They've not been together long, but it looks like getting serious very quickly.

[thumbwitch]

a common male-dominant illness is haemophilia - not sure about cognitive impairment in that condition though.

[Eve34]

Sounds like Huntington's,this can be tested for. Dementia is s symptom of HD. It is a disease that can affect a person at any time in life and will rob them of all the abilities they have leaving them with the need for 24 hour nursing care. It is not a nice disease to live with, knowing that at anytime soon symptoms will start and life will change. Also any children from someone who is affected is at risk regardless of it being a boyor a girl.