Diagnosis
Prion diseases can only be confirmed by taking a sample of brain tissue during a biopsy or after death. Doctors, however, can do a number of tests to help diagnose prion diseases such as CJD, or to rule out other diseases with similar symptoms.
These tests include:
- MRI scans of the brain
- Samples of fluid from the spinal cord (called a spinal tap)
- Electroencephalogram, which analyzes brain waves; this painless test requires placing electrodes on the scalp
- Blood tests
- Neurologic and visual examinations to evaluate for nerve damage and vision loss