Autopsy

The only way to diagnose CJD with absolute certainty is by neuropathological examination either by brain biopsy or at autopsy. For public health and epidemiologic reasons, the National Prion Disease Pathology Surveillance Center (NPDPSC) [1] in conjunction with the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) [2] strongly encourages families with patients who suffer from prion disease to consider autopsy for their loved one.

A specialized doctor called a neuropathologist conducts a brain autopsy in order to examine the brain tissue to determine a person’s cause of death. The procedure can be done in ways to accommodate religious, cultural or personal wishes for funerary customs.

For help in obtaining autopsy for patients with prion disease outside of UCSF, please contact the NPDPSC. Patients who participate in UCSF CJD research projects or who are UCSF patients, please contact our Autopsy Coordinator [3] for more information.