Degenerative brain diseases refer to a group of conditions that progressively damage the brain and nervous system over time. These diseases can affect movement, coordination, thinking, memory, and other cognitive functions. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) and Alzheimer's disease are both degenerative brain diseases that can affect older adults. However, they differ in their cause, symptoms, and progression. Causes of CJD and Alzheimer's disease CJD is caused by abnormal prion proteins that form in the brain, which cause damage and death of brain cells. CJD typically causes dementia, along with muscle stiffness, jerky movements, and visual disturbances. The disease progresses rapidly, with...

A nerve conduction velocity test determines how quickly electrical impulses travel through the body's nerves. Learn about the nerve conduction velocity, or NCV, test's application, typical outcomes, and potential adverse effects in this article. NCV as a diagnostic tool An NCV test is used to check for nerve injury. An electrical current is used to directly stimulate a nerve during the test to observe how it responds. A range of muscular and neuromuscular diseases can be diagnosed with NCV tests. In some cases, electromyograms, often known as EMGs, are performed along with NCV tests. EMGs are also used by doctors...