Functional and cognitive capacity differ in dystonic motor subtypes when compared to choreatic and hypokinetic-rigid motor subtypes in Huntington's disease

Abstract

Background: Motor phenotypes in Huntington's disease vary manifold. Phenotype classification is essential to adapt treatment. The aim of this study was to classify a dystonic subtype closer. Methods: A total of 7,512 manifest ENROLL-HD participants were subdivided into mainly choreatic (N = 606), dystonic (N = 402), and hypokinetic-rigid (N = 369) subjects. Cognitive (verbal fluency, symbol digit, stroop color, trail making, Mini-Mental State Examination), functional (total functional capacity, Independence Scale), and psychiatric (problem behaviors assessment, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) performance was evaluated at baseline visit. Results: Symptoms onset for dystonic were similar to hypokinetic-rigid, but earlier compared to choreatic subjects (p