Mad cow disease (or bovine spongiform encephalopathy [BSE]) is a fatal disease that attacks the central nervous system of adult cattle. Though the specific cause isn't known, it is speculated that infectious prions are the likely cause. Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease is found in people and is similar to BSE. A variation of this disease is thought to be caused by eating beef products from BSE-infected cattle. Read more: Mad Cow Disease Article
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The Stages of Dementia: Alzheimer's Disease and Aging Brains See SlideshowRelated Disease Conditions
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Food Poisoning
Food poisoning is common but can also be life-threatening. Food poisoning symptoms include stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. Read about different types of food poisoning, treatment, and tips for prevention.
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Encephalopathy
Encephalopathy refers to brain disease, damage, or malfunction. Learn about what causes encephalopathy as well as types, symptoms, stages, and treatment.
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Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a rare, degenerative, invariably fatal brain disorder. CJD generally appears in the later years and runs a rapid course. Symptoms of CJD include failing memory, lack of coordination, visual disturbances, failing memory, blindness, weakness, and eventually coma. There are three major categories of CJD; 1) sporadic CJD, 2) hereditary CJD, and 3) acquired CJD. There is no cure for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
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Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD)
Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) is a degenerative, fatal brain disorder in humans. Symptoms are initially psychiatric or sensory and include neurological abnormalities such as ataxia, dementia, and myoclonus. There is no known treatment for vCJD.
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