Central apnea in a sporadic case of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease with brainstem involvement.
We report a patient with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease with somnolence as an initial manifestation and sleep apneas as a prominent sign. A respiratory polygraphy revealed the presence of a continuous Cheyne-Stokes pattern both awake and during sleep with central apneas. The neuropathology showed PrP deposition in brainstem involving respiratory nuclei. Central apnea is a rare manifestation of CJD that can be observed from early stages and may be related with PrP deposition in brainstem structures.
Unitat de Diagnòstic i Tractament de les Demències, Neurology Service, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain.
Jordi
J
Gascon-Bayarri
Jaume
J
Campdelacreu
Carmen
C
Monasterio
Enric
E
Prats
Isidre
I
Ferrer
Ramon
R
Reñé
D001933:Brain Stem / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007562:Creutzfeldt-Jakob Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020182:Sleep Apnea, Central / Q000209:etiology*