It is a pleasure to send Dr. Hayden's monograph on its way to as yet unknown but hopefully widespread destinations with all the valedictions a Foreword may contain. Since I met the author in Cape Town in 1978 I have been struck, on numerous occasions, by the fortuitous combination of an inquisitive mind, a creative drive, a sharp awareness of the historical and social setting of phenomena, and a solid discipline which his personality displays behind a good-natured laugh. If a tree is known by its fruits, both Dr Hayden's PhD thesis and the present monograph afford quite an insight into the auctor intellectualis. The amalgamation of the terrible mise ry behind scientifIc facts and the elegantly artistic presentation of this book will leave none of its readers unperturbed. It reminds me of Nietzsche's 'Denn das Schöne ist nichts als des Schrecklichen Anfang, und wir bewundern es so weil es gelassen verschmäht uns zu zerstören' (Beauty is but Horror's beginning, and we admire it because it resignedly spurns to destroy us). The book is a denial, a testimony against Juvenal's spurious 'Sternmata quid faciunt ... ' (of what value are pedigrees). For it is the very genetical prolongation of misery over the centuries that brought Huntington's chorea to South Africa, Australia and the USA from the shores of sea-faring seventeenth-century England and Holland.

Huntington's Disease is a genetically inherited condition, the result of severe nerve-cell damage in the brain. Due to the recent identification of the gene involved, and the debilitating nature of the disease, a great many more people are now affected either directly or indirectly (familiesand carers) by this condition. The majority of people develop the disease between the ages of 35 and 55, so for those that are aware of a genetic inheritance, there are enormous problems to confront - should you carry on life as normal? Should you start a family? In this, the first book onHuntington's disease written for sufferers and their families, advice is given on living with this disabling illness. Written as much for carers as for the patients themselves, the book aims to answer some of the questions that both sufferer and carer might have. With the identification of theresponsible gene, genetic counselling is now available for those at risk of developing the disease. Though some may wish not to use these services, the book clearly explains the role of the counsellor, and what help is additionally available from the various patient organisations worldwide.

Can You Help Me?: Living in the Turbulent World of Huntington Disease shares the surprising, insightful, challenging, and even encouraging stories of patients and their families who live with Huntington Disease. Having seen patients for more than 40 years, Dr Thomas Bird, a pioneer neurogeneticist, adds a human touch to this genetic brain disease that devastates persons during mid-life when they can least afford it. With a brief history of Huntington Disease and the occasional scientific detail, the true heart of the book is the human experience of the disorder: � The man who cannot stay out of prison because he is addicted to being a burglar. � Another man shoots and kills his roommate while watching television and cannot explain why he did it. � The woman with Huntington Disease copes with her depression by using Texas line dancing. � A twelve year old girl with juvenile Huntington Disease who can barely walk and talk, but her classmates rally around with touching and heartfelt support. � And the 72 year old man with late onset Huntington Disease and severe depression is made worse by ECT, but improved (for a while) with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. These are just some of the compelling stories of people of all ages and in all walks of life who feel trapped by a progressive degenerative brain disease from which there is no escape.

This monograph describes the progress in neuropathological HD research made during the last century, the neuropathological hallmarks of HD and their pathogenic relevance. Starting with the initial descriptions of the progressive degeneration of the striatum as one of the key events in HD, the worldwide practiced Vonsattel HD grading system of striatal neurodegeneration will be outlined. Correlating neuropathological data with results on the functional neuroanatomy of the human brain, subsequent chapters will highlight recent HD findings: the neuronal loss in the cerebral neo-and allocortex, the neurodegeneration of select thalamic nuclei, the affection of the cerebellar cortex and nuclei, the involvement of select brainstem nuclei, as well as the pathophysiological relevance of these pathologies for the clinical picture of HD. Finally, the potential pathophysiological role of neuronal huntingtin aggregations and the most important and enduring challenges of neuropathological HD research are discussed.

Hyperkinetic movement disorders comprise a range of diseases characterized by unwanted and uncontrollable, or poorly controllable, involuntary movements. The phenomenology of these disorders is quite variable encompassing chorea, tremor, dystonia, myoclonus, tics, other dyskinesias, jerks and shakes. Discerning the underlying condition can be very difficult given the range and variability of symptoms. But recognizing the phenomenology and understanding the pathophysiology are essential to ensure appropriate treatment. Hyperkinetic Movement Disorders provides a clinical pathway for effective diagnosis and management of these disorders. The stellar international cast of authors distils the evidence so you can apply it into your practice. The judicious use of diagnostic criteria algorithms rating scales management guidelines Provides a robust framework for clear patient management. Throughout the text, QR codes* provide smartphone access to case-study videos of hyperkinetic symptoms. Purchase includes an enhanced Wiley Desktop Edition.* This is an interactive digital version featuring: all text and images in fully searchable form integrated videos of presentations View a sample video: www.wiley.com/go/albanese highlighting and note taking facilities book marking linking to additional references Hyperkinetic Movement Disorders provides you with the essential visual and practical tools you need to effectively diagnose and treat your patients. *Full instructions for using QR codes and for downloading your digital Wiley DeskTop Edition are inside the book.