What Is Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease?
Electroencephalogram (EEG). This is another type of scan that measures the electrical activity in the brain.
Lumbar puncture (spinal tap). Doctors use a long, very thin needle to draw some of the fluid out of the spinal column to test for certain proteins.
The only way to know for sure someone has CJD is by taking a sample (called a biopsy) of their brain tissue, or by autopsy. Doctors don’t usually biopsy brain tissue, because it’s risky, both for the patient and the doctor. It’s hard to target which tissue in the brain is infected, so doing a biopsy may not give helpful information. And it puts the doctor at risk of getting the disease.
Since a positive diagnosis doesn't help someone with CJD, doctors often confirm cases only after someone dies of it.
There are no treatments for CJD. Researchers have tested several drugs, but none have been able to slow or stop the disease.
Doctors can prescribe pain medicine for the symptoms. Muscle relaxers or anti-seizure drugs can help with stiffness. People with CJD need full-time care once the disease is in its late stage.
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
In this article
Diagnosis continued...
Electroencephalogram (EEG). This is another type of scan that measures the electrical activity in the brain.
Lumbar puncture (spinal tap). Doctors use a long, very thin needle to draw some of the fluid out of the spinal column to test for certain proteins.
The only way to know for sure someone has CJD is by taking a sample (called a biopsy) of their brain tissue, or by autopsy. Doctors don’t usually biopsy brain tissue, because it’s risky, both for the patient and the doctor. It’s hard to target which tissue in the brain is infected, so doing a biopsy may not give helpful information. And it puts the doctor at risk of getting the disease.
Since a positive diagnosis doesn't help someone with CJD, doctors often confirm cases only after someone dies of it.
Treatment
There are no treatments for CJD. Researchers have tested several drugs, but none have been able to slow or stop the disease.
Doctors can prescribe pain medicine for the symptoms. Muscle relaxers or anti-seizure drugs can help with stiffness. People with CJD need full-time care once the disease is in its late stage.
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