Periodic electroencephalogram complexes in a patient with variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
OBJECTIVE
Based on the current criteria, the diagnosis of "possible" or "probable" variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) implies the absence of periodic sharp wave complexes (PSWCs) in the electroencephalogram (EEG). To verify this point, we investigated the development of the EEG changes along the course of the disease in a pateint with vCJD.


METHODS
Long-lasting EEG-polygraphic recordings were performed once a month during the last year of illness.


RESULTS
We found the occurrence of a typical EEG periodic pattern in the late clinical stage of the vCJD patient.


CONCLUSIONS
In the light of our finding, the diagnostic criteria for vCJD should be amended to include the possibility of a typical periodic EEG in advanced stages of disease in cases with long survival.
Binelli
Simona
S
National Neurological Institute Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy.
Agazzi
Pamela
P
Giaccone
Giorgio
G
Will
Robert G
RG
Bugiani
Orso
O
Franceschetti
Silvana
S
Tagliavini
Fabrizio
F
D000328:Adult; D015153:Blotting, Western / Q000379:methods; D007562:Creutzfeldt-Jakob Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D010507:Periodicity; D011328:Prions / Q000378:metabolism
D011328:Prions