title: Periodic electroencephalogram complexes in a patient with variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: National Neurological Institute Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Binelli
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Agazzi
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giaccone
authors.forename: Robert G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Will
authors.forename: Orso
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Bugiani
authors.forename: Silvana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Franceschetti
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tagliavini
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D011328:Prions