Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

Signs and Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatments

Treatments

Currently, there is no cure for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). Researchers have tested many drugs, including amantidine, steroids, interferon, acyclovir, antiviral agents and antibiotics. None has shown consistent benefit.

Treatment is aimed at alleviating symptoms and making the patient as comfortable as possible. Drugs can help relieve pain if it occurs. The drugs clonazepam and sodium valproate may help relieve myoclonus or irregular, jerking movements.

Researchers at the UCSF Memory and Aging Center and elsewhere are trying to identify compounds for a therapy or cure for CJD and other diseases caused by the infectious particles called prions.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated July 7, 2008