Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease diagnosable by EEG and cerebrospinal fluid analysis without brain biopsy: a case report

This case illustrates a classic example of CJD in its clinical presentation and course and the EEG. It also shows dramatically the utility of a newly developed protein assay in the diagnosis of this disease. This assay has the potential of eliminating the need for brain biopsy in most cases, thus providing a safer diagnostic method for both staff and patients. In addition, the case points out that anatomical structural studies such as CT and MRI do not replace the utility of EEG in the comprehensive evaluation of rapid onset dementia, but rather complement the usefulness of EEG.