A Member of the University of Maryland Medical System   |   In Partnership with the University of Maryland School of Medicine

Share

Email PageEmail Print PagePrint

Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)

Toggle: English / Spanish

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease - Symptom

Alternative Names

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathy; vCJD; CJD; Jacob-Creutzfeldt disease

Symptoms:

  • Rapidly developing delirium or dementia (over the course of a few weeks or months)
  • Blurred vision (sometimes)
  • Changes in gait (walking)
  • Hallucinations
  • Lack of coordination (for example, stumbling and falling)
  • Muscle twitching
  • Muscle stiffness
  • Myoclonic jerks or seizures
  • Nervous, jumpy feelings
  • Personality changes
  • Profound confusion, disorientation
  • Sleepiness
  • Speech impairment

CJD is rarely confused with other types of dementia (such as Alzheimer's disease) because in CJD, symptoms progress much more rapidly. Both forms of CJD are distinguished by extremely rapid progression from onset of symptoms to disability and death.

Signs and tests:

Early in the disease, a neurological and mental status examination will show memory problems and changes in other mental functions. Later in the course of the disease, a motor system examination will show muscle twitching and spasm, a strong startle response, and an increase in muscle tone. There may also be weakness and loss of mucle tissue (muscle wasting) and abnormal reflexes or increased normal reflex responses.

There is loss of coordination related to visual-spatial perception changes and changes in the cerebellum, the area of the brain that controls coordination (cerebellar ataxia). An eye examination shows areas of blindness that the person may not realize are present.

Tests used to diagnose this condition may include:

  • Brain MRI
  • EEG
  • Spinal tap
  • Blood tests to rule out other forms of dementia and to look for markers that sometimes accompany the disease

Ultimately, the disease can only be confirmed by brain biopsy or autopsy.

  • Reviewed last on: 8/3/2011
  • A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, and David R. Eltz. Previously reviewed by Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital (8/29/2009).

References

Zeidler M. Prion diseases. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier. 2007: chap 442.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
adam.com
 
Adam QualityA.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
adam.com
Connect with UMMC
Facebook Twitter YouTube Blog iPhone

Please rate the quality of this article.

Do you find this article to be helpful / informative?
              
Poor                                       Excellent

Do you have any brief comments on this page: (up to 255 characters)

© 2011 University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). All rights reserved.
UMMC is a member of the University of Maryland Medical System,
22 S. Greene Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. TDD: 1-800-735-2258 or 1.866.408.6885