Detection of presymptomatic carriers of Huntington's chorea.
Laterality of thumb opposition and handedness were determined in three groups of subjects: patients with Huntington's chorea (n = 18), asymptomatic offspring of patients (n = 40), and asymptomatic siblings of patients over 50 years of age termed 'escapees' (n = 17). 100% of patients and 55% of young at-risk offspring had crossed laterality of thumb opposition and handedness. Only 2 (11.8%) of the 'escapees' had crossed laterality. Crossed laterality may be associated with symptomatic presymptomatic Huntington's chorea.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D005799:Genes, Dominant; D005817:Genetic Counseling; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D006816:Huntington Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D012306:Risk; D013933:Thumb / Q000502:physiology