What is Huntington's disease and why is it important to know about it? Huntington's disease is an inherited neurological disorder that causes the gradual breakdown of brain cells in specific areas of the brain. It is important to know about it because early awareness can help with genetic testing, family planning, and access to supportive care. Even if someone doesn’t have the gene, awareness helps build a society that’s informed, empathetic, and proactive about neurological diseases.