How are the diseases diagnosed?
Confirmation of a diagnosis of vCJD or CJD generally is by brain biopsy or autopsy and the analysis takes weeks to complete. Tests that can help develop a diagnosis include an electroencephalogram (EEG) to see if the brain’s electrical pattern shows specific abnormalities. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans also can reveal characteristic patterns of brain degeneration. Cerebrospinal fluid can be examined for proteins related to neurodegenerative diseases. A biopsy of the tonsils is also sometimes helpful in establishing a diagnosis.
