Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) is a prion disease that causes a person's brain to break down or stop working normally.
Understanding Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD)
CJD is a rare, degenerative, and invariably fatal brain disorder. It is classified as a prion disease, meaning it is caused by abnormal, misfolded proteins called prions. These prions accumulate in the brain, causing progressive neurological damage. Once symptoms manifest, CJD progresses rapidly, typically leading to death within a year. The term "classic CJD" is sometimes used to differentiate it from variant CJD (vCJD), which is linked to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), also known as "mad cow disease."
Key Aspects of CJD:
- Cause: Abnormal prion proteins.
- Nature: Degenerative and fatal brain disorder.
- Progression: Rapid, typically leading to death within a year after symptom onset.
- Rarity: Uncommon disease.
- Types: Classic CJD, Variant CJD (vCJD).
In summary, Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) is a rare but devastating brain disorder characterized by rapid cognitive decline and ultimately leading to death.
