Irish National CJD Surveillance Unit (INCJDSU)

The Irish National Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease Surveillance Unit (INCJDSU),  is based in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin.

The aim of the unit is to provide diagnostic and surveillance services to physicians across Ireland caring for patients with Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease (CJD).

Prion Diseases

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) is a rare illness and is one of a group of diseases called prion diseases, which affect humans and animals.  Prion diseases exist in different forms, all of which are progressive, currently untreatable and ultimately fatal.

They are caused by the presence of an abnormal protein in the brain tissue, called prion protein (PrPSc), and is believed to result from a change in the shape, of a normal cellular protein (PrPC ) which is present in the brain. As the amount of abnormal prion protein grows, it becomes hard to break down, causing brain degeneration and neurologic disease.

For further information and to visit the INCJDSU please click the link here