The Decision to Get Tested
From a simple blood test a person can determine whether he/she has the HD gene. This decision is a very difficult one and requires careful consideration. For some, being tested means preparing for the future (marriage and a family) while others prefer to live with uncertainty.
The HD Family Service Center is committed to providing a quality program of care for each person who reaches out to the Center. A team of professionals perform the presymptomatic (testing before symptoms of the disease surface) and prenatal testing (a test done on an unborn baby to determine if it has the HD gene). The team includes a medical geneticist, social worker, genetic counselor, neurologist, psychiatrist, neuropsychologist, and psychologist.
The Center keeps all personal information confidential, and you have the right to stop this testing at any time.
The Testing Process
The testing for the presence of the HD gene at our Center is done using a protocol that will assist the individual in deciding if this test is right for him or her. The protocol is based on guidelines established by HDSA and adopted in 1993 by the International Huntington Association and the World Federation of Neurology Research Group on Huntington’s chorea and best serves the needs of those who choose to be tested.
The testing process involves a number of consultations and can include visits with a medical geneticist and/or genetic counselor, a neurologist, a psychiatrist/psychologist, and neuropsychologist. At the end of the consultations, a comprehensive review occurs with the patient to determine if the individual wishes to continue. If yes, a blood sample is taken and a proposed date is made to meet again to discuss the results. After test results are given, supportive counseling is available over an extended period of time.
If you would like more information on genetic testing for Huntington’s Disease, contact Dr. Michael McCormack at (732) 235-5992 in Piscataway or (856) 566-6469 in Stratford.