Corticobasal degeneration (CBD)
Corticobasal degeneration (CBD) is a rare disease in which
parts of the #brain become damaged and begin to shrink. The outer layer of the
brain, known as the cortex, and deep parts of the brain, called the basal
ganglia, are both affected. It is not yet known what causes CBD but producing
too much of an abnormal form of a protein called tau is thought to play a role.
The disease usually affects people between the ages of 60 and 80.
Symptoms
The first symptoms that people with CBD experience are problems with movement,
such as stiffness and jerkiness in one or more of their limbs and a failure to
control hand movement on one side (known as 'alien hand syndrome'). As the
disease progresses, these problems will often spread to other limbs. Many
people experience symptoms of #dementia, including problems with memory and
thinking. A small proportion of people with frontotemporal dementia also
develop CBD as an 'overlapping' condition. Other symptoms of CBD include loss
of balance and co-ordination, and difficulties speaking and swallowing.
Treatment
Currently, there is no cure or treatment available to slow the progression of
CBD, but drugs may help some symptoms and #physiotherapy, occupational therapy
and speech and language therapy may be beneficial. On average, people live for
around eight years after their symptoms first appear. (Source: Alzheimer's Society)
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