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What is Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease? Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is a rare, degenerative, invariably fatal brain disorder. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is very rare. It affects about one person in every one million people per year worldwide. In the United States there are about 200 cases per year. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease usually appears in later life and runs a rapid course. Typically, onset of symptoms occurs about age 60, and about 90 percent of patients die within 1 year. Symptoms of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease In the early stages of disease the most common symptoms are:
As Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease progresses, mental deterioration becomes pronounced and involuntary movements, blindness, weakness of extremities, and coma may occur. Some symptoms of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease are similar to symptoms of other progressive neurological disorders, such as Alzheimers or Huntingtons disease. However, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease causes unique changes in brain tissue which can be seen at autopsy. Types of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease There are three major categories of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease:
How is Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease Transmitted? Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease cannot be transmitted through the air or through touching or most other forms of casual contact. In some cases, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease has spread to other people from grafts a tissue that covers the brain, transplanted corneas, implantation of inadequately sterilized electrodes in the brain, and injections of contaminated pituitary growth hormone derived from human pituitary glands taken from cadavers. How is Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease Treated? Unfortunately, there is no treatment that can cure or control Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Currently, treatment for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is aimed at alleviating symptoms and making the patient as comfortable as possible.
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