Treating seizures in Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease

Abstract

Seizures are known to occur in Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (CJD). In the setting of a rapidly progressive condition with no effective therapy, determining appropriate treatment for seizures can be difficult if clinical morbidity is not obvious yet the electroencephalogram (EEG) demonstrates a worrisome pattern such as status epilepticus. Herein, we present the case of a 39-year-old man with CJD and electrographic seizures, discuss how this case challenges conventional definitions of seizures, and discuss a rational approach toward treatment. Coincidentally, our case is the first report of CJD in a patient with Stickler syndrome.

Keywords

• Epilepsy
• Seizures
• Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease
• Status epilepticus
• Stickler syndrome