Crutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

Question 1

Types

Answer 1

Sporadic CJD - mainly affect the workings of the nervous system (neurological symptoms) , rapidly worsen within a few months.

Variant CJD - Affect person’s behaviour and emotions (psychological symptoms), will usually develop first.

Familial CJD - same pattern as sporadic but often takes longer for symptoms to progress, years rather than months.

Question 2

Neurological Symptoms

Answer 2

Slurred speech.
Numbness or pins and needles throughout body.
Dizziness.
Vision problems.
Hallucinations.
Difficultly walking and problems with balance/co-ordination.
Muscle twitches and spasms
loss of bladder control.
Blindness.
Loss of speech.
Swallowing Difficulties.
loss of voluntary movement.

Question 3

Psychological Symptoms.

Answer 3

Severe depression.
Withdrawal from loved ones.
Anxiety.
Irritability.
Difficultly sleeping.
Loss of memory
confusion.
Problems concentrating.
Loss of appetite.
Aggressive behaviour.
paranoia.
Unusual and inappropriate emotional responses.

Question 4

Final Stages.

Answer 4

People with all forms will become totally bedridden.

Will become fully unaware of surroundings and require around the clock care.

Lose ability to speak and can’t communicate with carers.

Death will inevitably follow usually as a result of an infection e.g. pneumonia or respiratory failure where the lungs stop working and the person is unable to breathe.

Question 5

Causes.

Answer 5

Caused by an abnormal infectious protein in the brain called a prion.

Question 6

Treatment.

Answer 6

No proven cure for CJD but clinical studies are underway to investigate possible treatments.