A program on Huntington’s disease and available treatment options will take place today at the Bartholomew County Public Library.
Dr. A. Charles Simchak, a neurologist from Indiana Neuroscience Associates of Indianapolis, will present a 6:30 p.m. program in the library conference room, 536 Fifth St. in Columbus.
Huntington’s disease is a fatal genetic disorder that causes the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain, causing a deterioration of physical and mental abilities, according to the Huntington’s Disease Society of America.
Every child of a parent with Huntington’s disease has a 50 percent chance of carrying the gene, according to the society.
The disease, which has no cure, has taken its toll on at least one local family.
Sharon Hogg of Columbus lost a younger brother, Mike Lee of Columbus, June 22 at age 64 to Huntington’s disease. A second brother, George Lee, 62, of Denver, Colorado, is also in the final stages of the disease, Hogg said.
The disease usually appears between the ages of 30 and 50 and progresses over a 10- to 25-year period, according to the society.
Hogg wants to raise more awareness for the disease and hopes Simchak’s program will shed more light on its impact.
Information: Visit mybcpl.org or call 812-379-1255.
