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Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: a description of two cases

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 March 2012

Kavita Das*
Affiliation:
Department of Old Age Psychiatry, Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Leatherhead, Surrey, UK Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK
Rebecca Davis
Affiliation:
Department of Old Age Psychiatry, Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Leatherhead, Surrey, UK
Brett DuToit
Affiliation:
Department of Old Age Psychiatry, Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Leatherhead, Surrey, UK
Brian Parsons
Affiliation:
Department of Old Age Psychiatry, Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Leatherhead, Surrey, UK
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Kavita Das, Department of Old Age Psychiatry, Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, UK. Phone: + 44-01932-722467; Fax: + 44-01932-875128. Email: [email protected].

Abstract

Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD) is a rare and devastating illness. It is the most frequently encountered form of the spongiform encephalopathies with 50 new cases a year in the UK. It presents with a myriad of symptoms reflecting central nervous system dysfunction and is characterized by a rapidly progressive dementia leading to death. The disease process can pose multiple challenges: diagnostic conundrums, complexities in management, and palliative care issues. Good coordinated care between services and information is paramount in adequate management and delivery of care for patients suffering from sCJD.

Psychiatry services frequently become involved in the assessment and management of sCJD.

Type
Case Report
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2012

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