diagnostic criteria for sporadic CJD

Last reviewed 01/2018

The diagnostic criteria for (classical) sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease are:

  • definite diagnosis, any of the following:
    • neuropathologically confirmed
    • positive PrP Western blot
    • presence of scrapie-associated fibrils

  • probable diagnosis:
    • progressive dementia
    • typical EEG
    • two or more of:
      • myoclonus
      • visual or cerebellar signs
      • pyramidal/extrapyramidal signs
      • akinetic mutism

  • possible diagnosis:
    • progressive dementia
    • two of:
      • myoclonus
      • visual or cerebellar signs
      • pyramidal/extrapyramidal signs
      • akinetic mutism
    • duration <2 years