creutzfeldt-jakob disease: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

It is not contagious in the conventional sense like a cold or flu. Standard sporadic CJD is not transmitted between people. However, variant CJD (vCJD) can be transmitted via contaminated surgical instruments or, historically, through eating contaminated beef products. Iatrogenic CJD can result from contaminated medical procedures.

Both cause dementia, but CJD progresses much more rapidly (often fatal within a year), while Alzheimer's progresses over many years. CJD also typically includes distinctive symptoms like muscle jerks (myoclonus) and stiffness, and is caused by prions, whereas Alzheimer's has different pathological hallmarks (amyloid plaques, tau tangles).

No, there is currently no cure or effective treatment to halt or reverse Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Medical care is supportive and palliative, focusing on managing symptoms and making the patient as comfortable as possible.

Because under a microscope, the brain tissue of a person with CJD develops tiny holes, giving it a sponge-like (spongiform) appearance due to the death of nerve cells and the accumulation of abnormal prion protein.

A rare, fatal degenerative brain disorder caused by prions, leading to rapid mental deterioration, loss of motor control, and death.

Creutzfeldt-jakob disease is usually technical, medical, academic in register.

Creutzfeldt-jakob disease: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkrɔɪtsfelt ˈjɑːkɒb dɪˌziːz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkrɔɪtsfelt ˈjɑːkoʊb dɪˌziːz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.