Areas of Scotland have the highest rates of Huntington’s disease in the world
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The area of the UK that’s a global hotspot for Huntington’s disease
- Northern Scotland has one of the highest global rates of Huntington's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder.
- New research from Aberdeen University identified more than 160 untested adults in the region carrying the Huntington's gene, with the actual number likely higher.
- The study confirms a rate of 14.5 per 100,000 people in northern Scotland, over five times the global average.
- Researchers used family-based NHS records, offering a more accurate count than previous studies that relied on statistical modelling.
- This data will help health boards plan for future care and treatment of Huntington's disease, including genetic counselling and testing.