title: Cognitive impairment and behavioural difficulties in patients with Huntington's disease.
abstract: Huntington's disease (HD) is a degenerative, neurological disorder that has physical, psychological and cognitive effects. A review of the nursing literature on HD suggests that the main focus has been on explaining and managing the physical and psychological symptoms that arise. Cognitive symptoms appear to be only briefly discussed in most articles, perhaps because they are often the most difficult to explain and understand. This article examines the link between cognition and behaviour in patients with HD and suggests strategies to manage some of these behaviours.
authors.affiliation: Huntington's Disease Service, Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, Derby. colin.bourne@leicspart.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Colin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bourne
authors.forename: Carole
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Clayton
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Murch
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Grant
mesh_terms: D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D006816:Huntington Disease / Q000150:complications*; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008606:Mental Processes; D024802:Nurse's Role; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D013850:Thinking