TREATMENT OF THE PSYCHIATRIC MANIFESTATIONS OF HUNTINGTONS-DISEASE - A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Objective: To review the clinical management of the psychiatric aspect s of Huntington's disease (HD), namely the mood disorders, psychotic d isorders, anxiety symptoms, sleep disorders, disorders of sexuality, a nd the behavioural changes of apathy, irritability, and aggression. Em phasis is on pharmacologic and psychotherapeutic intervention strategi es. In addition, the role of psychiatric intervention in presymptomati c testing is explored. Method: English language literature on the phar macologic and psychotherapeutic management of the psychiatric manifest ations of HD between 1976 and 1996 was critically reviewed. Results: F ew sound studies address the clinical management of the psychiatric as pects of HD; thus, only the broadest conclusions can be drawn. Pharmac ologic strategies for the treatment of psychiatric aspects of HD were organized according to the therapeutic agent and class, and psychother apeutic strategies were discussed. Conclusion: The clinical management of the psychiatric manifestations of HD requires much more complete a nd systematic study before any definite conclusions as to efficacy of various approaches can be drawn.