INTELLIGENCE INDEXES IN PEOPLE WITH A HIGH LOW RISK FOR DEVELOPING HUNTINGTONS-DISEASE/

Intelligence in 20 presymptomatic subjects with an increased risk (>95 %) for carrying the gene for Huntington's disease (HD) was studied in a prospective, case-control, single blind study. No significant differ ences between the groups were detected for intelligence indices and su btest scores (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale). The high level of th e performance IQ and the significant discrepancy between performance I Q and verbal IQ found in both the high risk and the low risk groups co ntrasted with our expectations based on anamnestic information, genera l clinical opinion, and the results of previously conducted studies. W e propose that psychosocial circumstances could explain the test resul ts and discuss the consequences of our findings for clinical genetics practice.