International Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) Awareness Day, November 12, 2007

November, 12 2007-Worldwide- International Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) Awareness Day is November 12, 2007. CJD is a rare, 100% fatal brain disease. Worldwide statistics indicate there is one case per one million in the general population per year. It is characterized by a rapidly progressive dementia. The mean duration of illness from onset of symptoms to death is 5.5 months. There are three types of CJD: sporadic, familial, and acquired. Eighty-five percent of the cases are sporadic, meaning there is no known cause at present. In the early stages of the disease, CJD patients may exhibit failing memory, behavior changes, impaired coordination and/or visual disturbances. As the illness progresses, mental deterioration becomes more pronounced and involuntary movements, blindness, weakness of extremities and ultimately coma may occur. Obtaining a potential CJD diagnosis is very difficult due to the lack of definitive tests available.

Please use this day to educate yourself, friends and family about CJD. If you would like to learn more about CJD, please view the Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Foundation’s website:

www.cjdfoundation.org.