In a concerning medical development, cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD), a rare and fatal brain disease, are on the rise. Researchers are baffled by this unexpected surge, as the disease is notoriously difficult to treat due to the resilience of its infectious agents called prions.
Unlike bacteria and viruses, prions are resistant to conventional methods of treatment. They can withstand extreme heat, radiation, and remain impervious to antibiotics and antivirals. This makes finding an effective course of action particularly challenging.
Recent findings indicate a significant increase in the reported incidence of CJD, especially among older individuals and women. Among women, the incidence rose from 1.06 to 1.58 cases per million, while among men the rise was from 1.05 to 1.47 cases per million. However, adjusting for age, the rise was found to be significant only among women.
Dr. Jessica Robinson-Papp, a professor and vice chair for clinical research at the Department of Neurology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, suggests that the brevity of the research letter format is a limitation. According to her, the authors had limited opportunity to thoroughly explain their work.
To aid in diagnosis, modern techniques such as the cerebrospinal fluid real-time quaking-induced conversion (CSF RT-QuIC) test have been developed. This test allows for the precise detection of abnormal prions in a patient’s spinal fluid. However, it is worth noting that this test only became available relatively recently.
A case study from Mount Sinai Queens Hospital Center in New York highlighted a 62-year-old man who displayed symptoms of rapidly progressing dementia and difficulty walking. Interestingly, the case report noted that the man’s neurological function worsened after he tested positive for COVID-19 upon admission. Eventually, he was diagnosed with prion disease.
While the study authors suggest a potential connection between prion disease and COVID-19, they emphasize the need for further research. At present, the evidence is limited to coincidental findings.
The authors also shed light on the mRNA in the Pfizer vaccine and its potential to bind to specific proteins, inducing abnormal protein folding similar to that observed in prion diseases. They draw attention to the mRNA’s translation of the spike protein, which can increase intracellular zinc levels, triggering the conversion of TAR DNA-binding protein into its pathological prion form.
It’s important to note that these findings call for additional research and should not be interpreted as definitive evidence.
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease remains a complex and mysterious disorder with no known cure. The rising incidence of CJD raises concerns among medical professionals worldwide. Continued research and exploration into this fatal brain disease are essential in the quest for effective treatments and prevention strategies.
