Triphasic sharp wave complexes on EEG are characteristic of which disease?

Triphasic sharp wave complexes on EEG are characteristic of which disease?

• A. Alzheimer disease
• B. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
• C. Multiple sclerosis
• D. Parkinson disease

Answer: (B)

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is characterized by periodic, generalized sharp-wave complexes on EEG. These complexes tend to recur regularly, about once per second, and reflect widespread cortical involvement from rapid prion-driven neurodegeneration. This EEG pattern helps distinguish CJD from other dementias in the appropriate clinical setting. In contrast, Alzheimer's disease does not produce this periodic sharp-wave pattern (often only diffuse slowing in later stages), and multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease generally do not show these characteristic EEG complexes.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is characterized by periodic, generalized sharp-wave complexes on EEG. These complexes tend to recur regularly, about once per second, and reflect widespread cortical involvement from rapid prion-driven neurodegeneration. This EEG pattern helps distinguish CJD from other dementias in the appropriate clinical setting. In contrast, Alzheimer's disease does not produce this periodic sharp-wave pattern (often only diffuse slowing in later stages), and multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease generally do not show these characteristic EEG complexes.