EEG observations in probable sporadic CJD
Sanjib Sinha, RavindranadhChowdary Mundlamurri, Rutul Shah, MSharath Adiga, Aparijita Chatterjee, Bhargava Gautham, K Raghavendra, A Ajay, Anita Mahadevan, Karthik Kulanthaivelu
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: test to support the clinical diagnosis of sporadic CJD (sCJD). This study is carried out to describe the comprehensive electroencephalography changes in a cohort of patients with probable sCJD from south India. METHODOLOGY: This retrospective observational study is conducted by reviewing case records from 2013-2020. Demographic, clinical, imaging details were noted. Electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings were retrieved and reviewed independently by two qualified epileptologists and the findings were visually analyzed and correlated with clinical and imaging abnormalities. RESULTS: Fifty patients with probable sCJD with the availability of artefact-free EEG were included in the study. The mean age was 59.76 ± 8.17 years and M: F was 31:19. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain showed abnormality defining CJD in 48/50, i.e., 96%patients. EEG showed specific and or nonspecific abnormalities in 88%. The specific abnormalities, i.e., periodic sharp wave complexes (PSWC), were noted 66%. PSWC were mostly asymmetric (90%) and more frequently seen in the right hemisphere (57.6%). Amplitude maximum in the occipital region was noted in 42.4% and in frontal region in 36.4%. The sensitivity of EEG specific abnormalities to diagnose probable sCJD according to CDC 2018 criteria with positive MRI findings was 68.75%. CONCLUSION: This study showed that EEG is a relatively inexpensive and sensitive tool and assists in the diagnosis of sCJD. However, it can be normal or show nonspecific abnormalities in the early stages of the disease.