Genetic landmarks through philately: Woodrow Wilson ‘Woody’ Guthrie and Huntington disease

Abstract

This brief account of Woody Guthrie is instructive to clinical geneticists. It tells the story of one famous man's understanding of, and struggle with, Huntington's disease. The philatelic illustration depicts Woody Guthrie playing his guitar in the years before advancement of the disease.

Hearing and music in dementia

“…Guthrie performed during the early stages of the disease, but it eventually affected his music career and ability to sing and play (Arevalo et al, 2001; Innes and Chudley, 2002). His impact on the genre of folk music resulted in his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.…”