Cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease on the Rise

An expert notes several reasons why this could be happening.

Silver Place/Shutterstock

In a medical mystery that has left researchers puzzled, an unexpected surge in cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), a rare and fatal degenerative condition, has emerged.

The alarming trend is taking a disproportionate toll on seniors, particularly older women.

What Is CJD?

CJD is a rare brain disorder marked by distinct alterations and rapid deterioration of brain tissue that affects muscle coordination, cognition, and memory. It is caused by a transmissible pathogen known as a proteinaceous infectious particle, or prion. This pathogen induces abnormal folding of prions abundant in the brain, resulting in swift and severe brain damage, ultimately leading to death. Seventy percent to 95 percent of people diagnosed with the condition die within a year.