A New Approach to Treating Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease using Alzheimer’s Disease as an Analogue

Abstract

In this thesis, I present overviews of the current research into the mechanisms and therapeutic strategies of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, and examine how knowledge of Alzheimer’s Disease could contribute to this understanding. Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease is an extremely rare condition, and as such there is a lack of research into therapies. Alzheimer’s Disease occurs much more frequently and therefore has been studied extensively. Examination of recent research suggests a number of similarities between these diseases – specifically, the symptoms and pathogenesis. Here, I discuss how specific properties of each disease, such as inflammation mechanisms, protein aggregation mechanisms, and lysosomal dysfunction, are similar. I propose that because of these similarities, certain therapeutics in clinical trials for Alzheimer’s Disease may be beneficial towards Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease as well. While there is convincing evidence that repurposing therapies would be effective, much more research is needed before drawing any concrete conclusions.