Mad Cow Disease Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Definition
Mad cow disease, also known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), is a condition characterized by damage to the brain. This condition is accompanied by fatal neurological signs and symptoms that occur in cattle.
However, one variant of this disease can occur in humans, which is known as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. This disease is a degenerative brain disorder that causes dementia and even death.
The signs and symptoms of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease can mimic those of other diseases that cause dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease. However, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease generally has a much more rapid progression.
Symptoms
Creutzfeldt-Jakob mad cow disease is characterized by rapid mental deterioration, usually over a period of several months. Early signs and symptoms that may occur include:
- Personality changes
- anxiety
- Depression
- Lost memory
- Disturbed mindset
- Blurred vision or blindness
- Insomnia
- Difficulty speaking
- Difficulty swallowing
- Sudden body movements
As the disease progresses, the mental symptoms that occur may also worsen. In individuals with the rarer variant of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, the psychiatric symptoms may be more prominent, and dementia, that is, the loss of the ability to think, reason, and remember, occurs later in the disease.
Reason
Creutzfeldt-Jakob mad cow disease and its various variants are part of a group of diseases in humans and animals known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE). The cause of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and other TSE is thought to be an abnormal type of protein called a prion.
Generally, these proteins are harmless. However, if it changes shape, this protein can become infectious and interfere with normal biological processes in the body.
This disease is not transmitted by coughing, sneezing, touching, or sexual contact. The three ways this disease can occur are:
- Sporadically. Most individuals with classic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease have no clear cause.
- Hereditary. About 5 to 10 percent of people with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease have a family member with the disease or test positive for the genetic mutation associated with this disease.
- By contamination. A small proportion of individuals with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease develop the condition after exposure to certain human tissues following medical procedures, such as a cornea or skin transplant.
Diagnosis
Confirmation of the presence of Creutzfeldt-Jakob mad cow disease can only be done through a brain biopsy or examination of brain tissue after death (autopsy). However, doctors can generally determine the diagnosis by means of a detailed medical interview, physical and neurological examination, and certain diagnostic tests.
Physical examination may show typical symptoms such as muscle contractions and spasms, abnormal reflexes, and impaired coordination. Individuals with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease may also experience areas of blindness as well as changes in visual-spatial perception.
Apart from that, doctors can also carry out several investigations to determine the diagnosis of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease:
- Electroencephalogram (EEG). Using electrodes placed on the head, this test measures the electrical activity of the brain. Individuals with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease generally exhibit a characteristic pattern of abnormalities.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). This imaging test uses radio waves and a magnetic field to produce images of the head and body. This examination is especially useful in diagnosing brain disorders.
- Spinal fluid examination. In a procedure known as a lumbar puncture, the doctor uses a needle to remove a small amount of spinal fluid for further evaluation. The presence of certain types of protein in spinal fluid can lead to the diagnosis of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
Treatment
There are no known effective treatments for Creutzfeldt-Jakob mad cow disease and its various variants. A number of treatments have been tested, including steroids, antibiotics, antivirals, and so on, but have shown no significant benefit.
Therefore, experts put the focus on treatment to relieve pain and other symptoms. The aim is to maintain the comfort of individuals who experience this disease.
Prevention
There is no known way to prevent Creutzfeldt-Jakob mad cow disease, which occurs sporadically. However, someone with a family history of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, can consult a genetic counselor to evaluate the risk of developing this condition.
Hospitals and healthcare facilities also follow strict policies regarding the prevention of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease due to medical conditions.