title: Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: two case studies.
abstract: Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a rapidly progressive, neurodegenerative disorder causing dramatic neuromuscular symptoms, profound dementia, and death. In this article, the epidemiology, etiology, modes of transmission, clinical manifestations, determination of possible/probable CJD diagnosis in life, and the postmortem neuropathology of definite CJD are discussed in depth. Case studies of two individuals, each affected by different subtypes of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD), are presented, along with a discussion of the many challenging nursing and psychosocial issues surrounding the supportive care of these individuals and families in life and death.
authors.affiliation: Greater Cincinnati Chapter, Alzheimer's Association, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: Clarissa A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Rentz
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D007562:Creutzfeldt-Jakob Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged