Michigan Woman Dies from Rare Brain Disorder, Prompting Urgent Investigation
Arlene VonMyhr, a 55-year-old woman from Michigan, recently passed away from Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD), a rare and degenerative brain disorder that is always fatal. CJD has often been compared to Mad Cow Disease and is known to strike at random, with no known cause in 85 percent of cases.
Symptoms of CJD can include memory loss, trouble speaking, balance issues, and jerky movements. Animals can also contract the disease through bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) or a spontaneous genetic mutation.
While CJD is incredibly rare, affecting only one to two people per million each year, the risk does increase with age. Michigan has reported five cases of CJD between June 2021 and June 2022, prompting an urgent investigation into the matter.
The CDC has stated that several cases of CJD may occasionally be diagnosed in a particular area purely by chance. Arlene VonMyhr’s husband is now raising awareness about CJD in the hopes of sparking more research and ultimately finding a cure for this devastating disease.
As more information comes to light, the community of Michigan is urged to stay informed about the symptoms and risks associated with CJD. It is crucial to support ongoing efforts to better understand this rare brain disorder and work towards finding effective treatments.
