// BEGIN editorial data var i = 0; var CreutzfeldtJakob_Variants = new Array(); CreutzfeldtJakob_Variants.sName = "CreutzfeldtJakob_Variants"; CreutzfeldtJakob_Variants.ID = "CreutzfeldtJakob_Variants"; CreutzfeldtJakob_Variants.ID_WB = 3899842; CreutzfeldtJakob_Variants.sPubDate = "1/14/2004 1:33:11 AM GMT"; CreutzfeldtJakob_Variants.mainsectionID = "HEALTH" CreutzfeldtJakob_Variants.navsectionID = "HEALTH" CreutzfeldtJakob_Variants.appFmt = 2; CreutzfeldtJakob_Variants.itemsPerPage = 1; CreutzfeldtJakob_Variants.appWidth = 460; CreutzfeldtJakob_Variants.appHeader = "FACT FILE|CJD: One name, two diseases"; CreutzfeldtJakob_Variants.appFooter = "Source: Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Foundation; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention "; CreutzfeldtJakob_Variants.appNavStyle = 3; CreutzfeldtJakob_Variants.nLinkCols = "sub"; CreutzfeldtJakob_Variants.appLayout = 1; CreutzfeldtJakob_Variants.copyHeight = 150; CreutzfeldtJakob_Variants.copyMargin = 9; CreutzfeldtJakob_Variants[i++] = new Array("","","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); CreutzfeldtJakob_Variants[i-1].body = "There is considerable confusion over two rare, degenerative brain disorders that both go by the name Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Patients who suffer from the variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, which is transmitted to humans through tainted beef, and those who suffer from classic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, may have similar symptoms, but there are key differences between the illnesses. Click a topic above to learn more."; CreutzfeldtJakob_Variants[i++] = new Array("","Classic CJD","","","","", "sub", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); CreutzfeldtJakob_Variants[i++] = new Array("","What is it?","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); CreutzfeldtJakob_Variants[i-1].body = " (Classic CJD)
Classic CJD is a rare, naturally occuring brain disease that belongs to a family of human and animal diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, so called because infected brains become filled with holes until they resemble sponges. Classic CJD is caused by prions, which are infectious proteins involved in several neurological diseases affecting both humans and animals. These proteins attack the brain, kill cells, and create sponge-like gaps in brain tissue."; CreutzfeldtJakob_Variants[i++] = new Array("","Who can get it? ","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); CreutzfeldtJakob_Variants[i-1].body = " (Classic CJD)
Most patients diagnosed with classic CJD are between the ages of 50 and 75, with an average age of 68. Classic CJD occurs sporadically worldwide, including in the United States, with an annual incidence rate of about one case per million people."; CreutzfeldtJakob_Variants[i++] = new Array("","Symptoms","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); CreutzfeldtJakob_Variants[i-1].body = " (Classic CJD) Classic CJD can incubate in a person from 15 months to several decades. Most patients exhibit depression, personality and behavioral changes, memory loss, blurred vision and paralysis, followed by rapidly progressive dementia and coma. Once symptoms appear, the disease spreads quickly with death usually occuring within months. "; CreutzfeldtJakob_Variants[i++] = new Array("","Diagnosis","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); CreutzfeldtJakob_Variants[i-1].body = " (Classic CJD)
Traditional lab tests are ineffective at diagnosing the illness, although an electroencephalogram (EEG) shows abnormal brain activity. A spinal test often reveals high protein levels. Only an examination of brain tissue after death can confirm the presence of the disease. "; CreutzfeldtJakob_Variants[i++] = new Array("","Causes","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); CreutzfeldtJakob_Variants[i-1].body = " (Classic CJD)
Classic CJD is caused when a naturally occuring and normally harmless protein known as a prion converts to an abnormal form. The abnormal prion then begins to convert other prions and spreads throughout the brain. Over 80 percent of cases occur sporadically and their cause remains unknown. About 10-15 percent run in families through a possible genetic mutation. The rest are thought to be transmitted through infection. Beef has not been implicated in the transmission of classic CJD. However, contaminated surgical instruments are thought to be one possible source of infection. Classic CJD is not considered to be contagious through casual contact."; CreutzfeldtJakob_Variants[i++] = new Array("","Treatment","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); CreutzfeldtJakob_Variants[i-1].body = " (Classic CJD)
There is no known effective treatment to slow or cure classic CJD. The disease is always fatal, with most patients dying within one year although some have survived two or more years. Drugs may be used to ease symptoms or pain."; CreutzfeldtJakob_Variants[i++] = new Array("","Variant CJD","","","","", "sub", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); CreutzfeldtJakob_Variants[i++] = new Array("","What is it? ","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); CreutzfeldtJakob_Variants[i-1].body = " (Variant CJD)
Variant CJD is similar to classic CJD in that it is a fatal brain disorder caused by prions. Variant CJD was first reported in 1996 in Britain, where an outbreak of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) -- as mad cow is officially known -- had been occurring since the early 1980s. Cows contracted BSE by consuming infectious prions when they were fed the remains of other slaughtered animals in their feed. The disease was transmitted to humans who ate contaminated beef."; CreutzfeldtJakob_Variants[i++] = new Array("","Who can get it? ","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); CreutzfeldtJakob_Variants[i-1].body = " (Variant CJD)
The average age of patients with variant CJD is 26, far younger than patients with classic CJD. A total of 153 variant CJD cases have been reported worldwide, with 143 of these cases in Britain. Only one case of variant CJD has been diagnosed in the United States. It involves a woman who had previously lived in Britain."; CreutzfeldtJakob_Variants[i++] = new Array("","Symptoms","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); CreutzfeldtJakob_Variants[i-1].body = " (Variant CJD)
Patients generally exhibit symptoms of anxiety, depression, slurred speech, tremors, difficulty walking and trouble controlling involuntary movements. The incubation period can last from five to 10 years. Once symptoms appear, the illness has an average duration of 14 months. At the time of death, patients become mute and immobile."; CreutzfeldtJakob_Variants[i++] = new Array("","Diagnosis","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); CreutzfeldtJakob_Variants[i-1].body = " (Variant CJD)
As with classic CJD, there are no reliable tests to diagnose variant CJD. An EEG often shows abnormal brain waves. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spinal tests can be useful as well. Examining brain tissue after the patient has died is the only way to confirm the diagnosis."; CreutzfeldtJakob_Variants[i++] = new Array("","Causes","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); CreutzfeldtJakob_Variants[i-1].body = " (Variant CJD)
Unlike classic CJD, variant CJD is strongly linked to exposure to the abnormal prions that cause BSE, or mad cow disease, through eating contaminated beef."; CreutzfeldtJakob_Variants[i++] = new Array("","Treatment","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); CreutzfeldtJakob_Variants[i-1].body = " (Variant CJD)
There is no cure or treatment to slow the progression of variant CJD. Drugs may be used to ease symptoms or relieve pain."; // END editorial data