Healthinmind/Mental Health Disorders/Cognitive Disorders/Dementias

Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease

This type of dementia, like Alzheimer's or Huntington's, is caused by organic changes in the brain, but in this case the changes are brought about by a "slow virus," or prion. Fortunately, the disease is quite rare, occurring in perhaps two people in a million. In headhunting societies, kuru, which is probably a closely related if not identical disease, was transmitted by eating the brains of human victims. In the United States it has occasionally been transmitted via corneal transplants from cadavers. The symptoms of Creutzfeldt-Jacob dementia are very similar to those of other dementias, especially Alzheimer's, but the cognitive and behavioral deteriorations seen in C-J dementia are much faster. Patients rarely live longer than about 7 months after diagnosis. Improved precautionary conditions have eliminated most sources of contagion in the United States. 

The Creutzfeldt-Jacob Foundation web site contains much additional information. 

Last updated  12/19/03