Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: A comprehensive review of current understanding and research

Abstract

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) is one of the sample prion diseases that have characteristic features of rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disease manifested by psychomotor changes, some of which include cognitive dysfunction, motor disorder, and behavioral abnormalities. In general, this brief review will assist in elucidating the clinical features and onset, causes, diagnostic challenges, and therapeutic possibilities of CJD. It is classified into sporadic, hereditary, and acquired forms, and affection is identified as linked to the different prion varieties and genetic profiles. The disease process of CJD consists of the deposition of misfolded prions in the brain that causes apoptosis and the subsequent morphological features in the form of spongiform changes. Diagnostic strategies have changed; presently, one can see imaging methods, diagnosis through CSF biomarkers, and genetic-based diagnosis. At this time, there is no cure for CJD; therefore, management and treatment aim at supporting the patient and alleviating the signs and symptoms of the disease. As per our discussion, this review sought to accustom the readers with recent studies conducted, diagnostic advancements, and probable therapeutic approaches, pointing to the general index that more research is needed to fight CJD.

Keywords: Diagnostic biomarkers; Genetic predisposition and treatment strategies; Neurodegeneration; Prion disease.