CREUTZFELDT-JAKOB DISEASE
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) is a progressively debilitating
fatal neurological disease, which was originally recognised
in the 1920’s. with a new strain called new variant
Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease (nvCJD) more recently identified
in 1996.
CJD deteriorates both cognitive and motor function with
the rate of deterioration varying with what type of CJD
a patient is diagnosed with. The deterioration in cognitive
and motor function causes the patient and their carers to
require ongoing intensive care and support both practical
and emotional throughout the period of the illness and beyond.
There are four recognised types of CJD i.e.
SPORADIC
FAMILIAL
IATROGENIC
NEW VARIANT
In 1990 The National Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease Surveillance
Unit was established through the University of Edinburgh
and funded by the Department of Health to monitor the characteristics
of all forms of CJD, to identify trends in incidence rates
and to study risk factors for the development of the disease.
The unit brings together a team of clinical neurologists,
neuropathologists, scientists and research nurses specialising
in the investigation of this disease.
Since 28th February 2000 a National CJD Care Co-ordinator
has been employed and is based within the unit. The remit
of the co-ordinator is to provide information, emotional
and practical support to the patients and their family/carers
and information, advice and support to professional carers
and any other interested parties. The co-ordinator is able
to travel to any part of the country where a patient has
been diagnosed with CJD to provide this assistance.
For more details, information and research on all of the
above, including clinical aspects of the disease and other
institutions involved with CJD please forward to the unit’s
own website at:
For Further information visit the website
www.cjd.ed.ac.uk
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