This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-37541550

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Urine test for CJD 'a possibility' Urine test for CJD 'a possibility'
(2 days later)
Urine could potentially be used for a quick and simple way to test for CJD or "human mad cow disease", say scientists in the journal JAMA Neurology.Urine could potentially be used for a quick and simple way to test for CJD or "human mad cow disease", say scientists in the journal JAMA Neurology.
The Medical Research Council team say their prototype test still needs honing before it could be used routinely.The Medical Research Council team say their prototype test still needs honing before it could be used routinely.
Currently there is no easy test available for this rare but fatal brain condition.Currently there is no easy test available for this rare but fatal brain condition.
Instead, doctors have to take a sample of spinal fluid or brain tissue, or wait for a post-mortem after death.Instead, doctors have to take a sample of spinal fluid or brain tissue, or wait for a post-mortem after death.
What they look for is tell-tale deposits of abnormal proteins called prions, which cause the brain damage.What they look for is tell-tale deposits of abnormal proteins called prions, which cause the brain damage.
Building on earlier US work, Dr Graham Jackson and colleagues, from University College London, have now found it is also possible to detect prions in urine.Building on earlier US work, Dr Graham Jackson and colleagues, from University College London, have now found it is also possible to detect prions in urine.
This might offer a way to diagnose CJD rapidly and earlier, they say, although there is no cure.This might offer a way to diagnose CJD rapidly and earlier, they say, although there is no cure.
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD):Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD):
CJD is a rare, but fatal degenerative brain disorder caused by abnormal proteins called prions that damage brain cells.CJD is a rare, but fatal degenerative brain disorder caused by abnormal proteins called prions that damage brain cells.
There are several forms of the disease:There are several forms of the disease:
In the 1990s it became clear that a brain disease could be passed from cows to humans.In the 1990s it became clear that a brain disease could be passed from cows to humans.
The British government introduced a ban on beef on the bone.The British government introduced a ban on beef on the bone.
Since then, officials have kept a close check on how many people have become sick or died from CJD.Since then, officials have kept a close check on how many people have become sick or died from CJD.
There is no known cure.There is no known cure.
The study looked at urine samples from 162 people. Of these:The study looked at urine samples from 162 people. Of these:
The urine test gave no "false-positive" results - meaning it did not falsely suggest there was CJD in any of the patients known not to have the disease.The urine test gave no "false-positive" results - meaning it did not falsely suggest there was CJD in any of the patients known not to have the disease.
But it was less reliable when it came to detecting actual cases.But it was less reliable when it came to detecting actual cases.
It accurately detected just under half of the sporadic CJD patients and even fewer of the vCJD patients.It accurately detected just under half of the sporadic CJD patients and even fewer of the vCJD patients.
The researchers hope they will be able to improve the test further so it can reliably detect all types of CJD.The researchers hope they will be able to improve the test further so it can reliably detect all types of CJD.
Dr Jackson said: "Although there is currently no cure for this disease, an accurate and early diagnosis is extremely important for patients and their families.Dr Jackson said: "Although there is currently no cure for this disease, an accurate and early diagnosis is extremely important for patients and their families.
"In the future, as trials of potential therapies become available, the earlier a patient can be diagnosed the more effective any treatment is likely to be."In the future, as trials of potential therapies become available, the earlier a patient can be diagnosed the more effective any treatment is likely to be.
"This test could be a critical step forward.""This test could be a critical step forward."
To date, more than 2,000 UK people are thought to have died from CJD. To date, more than 2,000 UK people are thought to have died from CJD. The estimated toll for vCJD alone is 178.
In the UK, a person's lifetime risk for developing sporadic CJD is about one in 5,000.In the UK, a person's lifetime risk for developing sporadic CJD is about one in 5,000.
The government spends £5.5m a year on CJD surveillance and research.The government spends £5.5m a year on CJD surveillance and research.