This
relatively new variant of Prion disease is caused by ingesting a
viral infection from infected cattle. Typically the disease infects
younger adults, though cases are known in the age range of 12 to
74 years
As the disease progresses
the brain becomes sponge-like and psychiatric & neurological
symptoms develope
There are four variants
of this disease and diagnosis can be very difficult and often the
exact type is not known till after the disease has run it's course
There is no treatment
for the disease, although drugs such as valproate and clonazepam
are used to relieve certain symptoms
Research is continuing
and recent treatment with the drug pentosan polysulphate, which
is directly injected into the brains of the patients, may show positive
results. This was highlighted recently on national news (September
2003)
However, at present
the best treatment seems to be prevention and measures are now in
place to prevent infection from contaminated meat. Blood and transplant
operations are also monitored for CJD
http://www.cjdsupport.net/
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