Huntington’s disease (HD) is often called a silent killer of the brain, a rare genetic disorder that slowly destroys nerve cells, leading to involuntary movements, memory decline, and eventual loss of basic functions like walking and swallowing. It usually strikes in middle age, turning healthy lives upside down.

In India, the danger is greater because HD remains outside the National Policy for Rare Diseases (NPRD). Without recognition, thousands of families struggle in silence, receiving neither structured care nor government support. Doctors warn that ignoring HD is like sitting on a health time bomb: as cases go untracked, the true scale of the crisis grows unchecked.

At a recent Huntington’s Disease Society of India (HDSI) conference in Bengaluru, experts demanded urgent steps, specialised HD clinics in major hospitals, a national patient registry, and inclusion in the rare disease framework. NIMHANS has already forwarded proposals to the Union Health Ministry.

If neglected, HD could overwhelm families, healthcare systems, and society at large. But with early recognition, research, and structured care, India can defuse this silent time bomb before it explodes.