Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease in a Saudi Female: A Case Report

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a rare, rapidly progressive, and incurable neurodegenerative disorder caused by prions. It is invariably fatal and classified under transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. This case report presents a 66-year-old Saudi female who was admitted to the neurology department due to a rapidly advancing cognitive decline. The patient underwent diagnostic evaluation, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electroencephalogram (EEG). Following a month of hospitalization with psychosocial support, the patient was stable and subsequently discharged. In conclusion, while CJD is an uncommon condition, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with rapidly progressive dementia. Early and accurate diagnosis is essential to differentiate this untreatable disease from other treatable forms of rapidly progressive dementia and to facilitate potential future therapeutic interventions.