Huntington disease is caused by an expanded trinucleotide repeat (CAG) in the HTT gene. Which specific brain structure undergoes the most profound atrophy in this condition?
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Correct answer: Caudate nucleus
The striatum, particularly the caudate nucleus and to a lesser extent the putamen, undergoes severe atrophy in Huntington disease. This loss of inhibitory GABAergic neurons leads to the characteristic choreiform movements.
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