Eventually the cell lining pops like a soap bubble, releasing rogue prions to cause further infection. A small hole remains where the nerve cell used to be. We know from the old version of CJD that it can take up to 30 years for symptoms to develop. If the new variant was to show the same characteristics, then it may be 10 years or more before the full extent of infection becomes clear. However, once symptoms begin, the progression of the disease is quite rapid.
Complete dementia occurs within six months.
The disorder can be fatal within seven months, with some people surviving for up to two years after diagnosis. Unfortunately, there is no known cure for what is a most unpleasant condition. Behaviour can become aggressive, requiring sedation and antipsychotic medication. There is a need to provide a safe environment, control agitated behaviour and to meet basic care needs, all of which may require hospitalisation or at least intensive support at home. There is ongoing research into variant CJD, particularly to try and develop a non-invasive diagnostic test to pick up the disease before it causes symptoms.