Volume 8: Variant CJD
6. Diagnosis, treatment and care of vCJD patients
Introduction

6.1 The main aim of the CJDSU was to identify any change in the clinical, pathological and epidemiological characteristics of CJD that might be linked to the occurrence of BSE. ¹ The first part of this chapter details how, between 1995 and 1996, the CJDSU collected evidence of the emergence of a new variant of CJD (vCJD), the signs of which included an earlier age of onset than classical CJD, early psychiatric symptoms, a long duration of illness, and an absence of the characterisitic EEG ² pattern seen in classical CJD. It goes on to describe the methods used to diagnose the disease along with recent advances in this area. The second part of the chapter describes the treatment and care of vCJD patients and addresses some of the issues that were and are still being faced by vCJD victims and their families.

6.2 Much of the evidence referred to in this chapter does not distinguish between events before and after 20 March 1996. It would not be practicable to attempt this exercise; nor do we consider that our Terms of Reference require us to do so. Problems experienced and solutions found after 20 March 1996 throw light on the experience before that date and are relevant when considering the lessons to be learned from events falling within the period with which we are concerned.