Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease

Part of the group of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies.  A degenerative disorder of the brain in which the brain’s neurons (nerve cells) are progressively destroyed, causing holes in the brain.  Usually caused by eating beef infected with mad cow disease.  Early symptoms are memory loss, lack of coordination, impaired vision, and behavioral changes.  As the disease progresses, symptoms include dementia, blindness, jerking movements (myoclonus) and ultimately death.  There is currently no cure, but some symptoms can be relieved by medication.