Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and sleep disorders.

Creutzfeldt - Jakob disease (CJD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease caused by prion protein infection. Compared with other neurodegenerative diseases, neuronal cell apoptosis in CJD occurs more rapidly. It has become increasingly evident that sleep dysfunction is commonly seen in chronic neurodegenerative conditions and may present several years before the disease onset. Therefore, understanding the relation of dyssomnia to CJD may enhance our realization of the relationship between sleep disorders and other common neurodegenerative diseases. More and more studies have shown that sleep disorders are very common in CJD patients. Thus, clinicians should regularly screen for sleep conditions in possible CJD patients to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of CJD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]