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Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a rare, fatal brain disorder that causes rapid progressive dementia and other neuromuscular disturbances.
CJD is caused by a transmittable agent. Research suggests that the agent differs significantly from viruses and other conventional agents. This newly discovered pathogen is called a "prion," which is short for "proteinaceous infectious particle". It consists of protein and transforms normal protein molecules into infectious ones.
CJD can be inherited, but the majority of cases are not caused by inheritance. Early symptoms of CJD include failing memory, changes in behavior, and lack of coordination. As the disease advances (usually very rapidly), mental deterioration becomes pronounced and involuntary movements (especially muscle jerks) appear. The CJD patient experiences severe difficulty with sight, muscular energy, and coordination. Like Alzheimer's disease, a definitive diagnosis of CJD can be obtained only through examination of brain tissue at autopsy.
