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| THE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF HUNTINGTONS-DISEASE |
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| Author(s): HARPER PS |
| Source: HUMAN GENETICS Volume: 89 Issue: 4 Pages: 365-376 Published: JUN 1992 |
| Times Cited: 72 References: 105 |
| Abstract: The available information on the world distribution of Huntington's disease (HD) from population surveys and death rate analysis is summarised and discussed in the light of genetic studies. It is concluded that most European populations, both Northern and Southern. show a relatively high prevalence (4-8 per 100,000), and that the disorder may also be frequent in India and parts of central Asia. HD is notably rare in Finland and in Japan. but data for Eastern Asia and Africa are inadequate. The disorder many have been underestimated in the American black population. Populations derived from recent European imigration show frequencies and origins of HD comparable to those expected from their own origins and expansion, there is no evidence to suggest that the HD gene has spread disproportionally and its selective effect may be close to neutral. Multiple separate introductions of the gene have been the rule in large populations. Several major foci of HD exist as the result of rapid population expansion. It is likely that a number of separate mutations for HD will be shown to be responsible for the disease, but that the high frequency of HD in European populations will prove to be the result of one or a very small number of mutations, probably of great antiquity. |
| Document Type: Review |
| Language: English |
| Reprint Address: HARPER, PS (reprint author), UNIV WALES COLL MED, INST MED GENET, HEATH PK, CARDIFF CF4 4XN, S GLAM WALES |
| Publisher: SPRINGER VERLAG, 175 FIFTH AVE, NEW YORK, NY 10010 |
| Subject Category: Genetics & Heredity |
| IDS Number: JA742 |
| ISSN: 0340-6717 |
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