Several brain diseases can lead to death. While many brain diseases significantly impact quality of life and contribute to mortality indirectly through complications, some directly cause death due to their devastating effects on brain function.
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD)
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a prime example. This rare, rapidly progressing brain disorder, belonging to a group of prion diseases, causes unique changes in brain tissue and ultimately leads to death. [1, 7, 9] Symptoms, while similar to Alzheimer's disease initially, worsen far more quickly. [1] The disease's progression rapidly destroys brain function, making it a fatal condition. [6]
Other Fatal Brain Diseases
Other brain diseases can indirectly cause death. For instance, advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease can result in complications such as dehydration, poor nutrition, or infection, ultimately leading to death. [4] Similarly, several other neurodegenerative diseases, while not directly causing death, damage the brain over time, impacting essential functions, making individuals vulnerable to fatal complications. [3, 5] Sudden unexpected death can also result from conditions such as intracranial hemorrhage, ischemic stroke, epilepsy, and brain tumors. [7] Additionally, Naegleria fowleri, a brain-eating amoeba, causes the rapid destruction of brain tissue and swelling, leading to death in over 97% of cases. [10]
In summary, several brain diseases, including prion diseases like CJD and other conditions that severely impact brain function, can be fatal. Death may be a direct result of the disease's destructive process or arise from complications secondary to the disease's progression.
