Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in a nursing home resident

Abstract

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a rare neurodegenerative disease. Alzheimer's disease is the most common neurodegenerative disease in the United States. The onsetof CJD is often heralded by behavioral changes, depression, and amnesia. Progressive dementia and myoclonus (often in response to sensory stimuli) invariably occur. It is important to evaluate all new nursing home residents who have an admitting diagnosis of dementia. Dementia in the elderly is not always caused by Alzheimer's disease. This report identifies a rare cause of dementia in an elderly woman.