Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease is a transmissible, rapidly progressing, neurodegenerative disorder, closely related to “mad cow disease” (Gale, 2013). CJD is can be confused as Alzheimer's, but CJD is more rapidly progressing and ultimately leads to death. It is one of many ‘spongiform encephalopathies’ disease that causes fluid filled spaces in the brain called vacuoles that make the brain have a sponge-like appearance. There is an estimated 250 cases per year in the United States, making it rare but transmissible (Gale, 2015). A person who has CJD will become completely unrecognizable due to personality changes and psychosis, affecting not only themselves but the people around them (Gale, 2013). It is important to know …show more content…
Prion has a sheet structure in place of a helical shape, as seen in a normal brain protein. Prion attacks PrP, a part of the membrane of cells which has an unclear function. When the two interact, prion alters and converts part of the PrP’s helical shape to a sheet structure, and the process is repetitive. Prion forces the body to create more of the virus, resembling crystallization (Gale 2013). Prion is similar to the enzymes related to Alzheimer's and is not killed by ultraviolet radiation and resistant to heat, chemicals, and degradative enzymes. (Gale, 2012). Sporadic CJD can occur when prion switches to its infectious forms and begins to transform other cells (NINDS, 2003). About 85% of cases are sporadic, while 5-15% is familial (inherited). Each offspring has a 50% of inheriting the mutation on their PRNP gene (Gale, 2012). Living with a patient who has CJD does not increase your chances of receiving it than from the general population, but exposure to brain tissue and spinal cord fluid should be avoided (Gale, 2012). There is also Iatrogenic CJD which is when a person contracts the virus during a medical procedure. Some people have contracted CJD disease from grafts of dura matter, transplanted corneas, and implantation of inadequately sterilized electrodes into the brain, and injections of contaminated …show more content…
Homer worked in the computer industry and played a key role in the development of the Internet, mobile devices, and the personal computer. He was a technological advisor to the CEO of Apple, John Sculley, in 1982. Homer was vice president of Netscape in the beginning of the era of the World Wide Web after leaving his job as marketing vice president of GO Corp. He developed marketing plans for Netscape when the Internet was a new idea. He also played a role in the development of Google, Tellme Networks, and TiVo, and was on the Palm Inc. board. Homer’s memory problems led to Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease in 2007. “Fight for Mike” organization was created by his loved ones, and they raised $7 million used to fund the research for a cure at the University of California, San Francisco. Homer was 50 years old when he passed away of CDJ on February 1, 2009. The science center at Sacred Heart Preparatory (Atherton,
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease is a transmissible, rapidly progressing, neurodegenerative disorder, closely related to “mad cow disease” (Gale, 2013). CJD is can be confused as Alzheimer's, but CJD is more rapidly progressing and ultimately leads to death. It is one of many ‘spongiform encephalopathies’ disease that causes fluid filled spaces in the brain called vacuoles that make the brain have a sponge-like appearance. There is an estimated 250 cases per year in the United States, making it rare but transmissible (Gale, 2015). A person who has CJD will become completely unrecognizable due to personality changes and psychosis, affecting not only themselves but the people around them (Gale, 2013). It is important to know …show more content…
Prion has a sheet structure in place of a helical shape, as seen in a normal brain protein. Prion attacks PrP, a part of the membrane of cells which has an unclear function. When the two interact, prion alters and converts part of the PrP’s helical shape to a sheet structure, and the process is repetitive. Prion forces the body to create more of the virus, resembling crystallization (Gale 2013). Prion is similar to the enzymes related to Alzheimer's and is not killed by ultraviolet radiation and resistant to heat, chemicals, and degradative enzymes. (Gale, 2012). Sporadic CJD can occur when prion switches to its infectious forms and begins to transform other cells (NINDS, 2003). About 85% of cases are sporadic, while 5-15% is familial (inherited). Each offspring has a 50% of inheriting the mutation on their PRNP gene (Gale, 2012). Living with a patient who has CJD does not increase your chances of receiving it than from the general population, but exposure to brain tissue and spinal cord fluid should be avoided (Gale, 2012). There is also Iatrogenic CJD which is when a person contracts the virus during a medical procedure. Some people have contracted CJD disease from grafts of dura matter, transplanted corneas, and implantation of inadequately sterilized electrodes into the brain, and injections of contaminated …show more content…
Homer worked in the computer industry and played a key role in the development of the Internet, mobile devices, and the personal computer. He was a technological advisor to the CEO of Apple, John Sculley, in 1982. Homer was vice president of Netscape in the beginning of the era of the World Wide Web after leaving his job as marketing vice president of GO Corp. He developed marketing plans for Netscape when the Internet was a new idea. He also played a role in the development of Google, Tellme Networks, and TiVo, and was on the Palm Inc. board. Homer’s memory problems led to Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease in 2007. “Fight for Mike” organization was created by his loved ones, and they raised $7 million used to fund the research for a cure at the University of California, San Francisco. Homer was 50 years old when he passed away of CDJ on February 1, 2009. The science center at Sacred Heart Preparatory (Atherton,