Corticobasal degeneration
People with c orticobasal degeneration (CBD) develop a range of difficulties withmovement,speech, memory and swallowing.
The condition tends to develop gradually, which means it can be mistaken for another condition at first such as Parkinson's disease , dementia or a stroke .
The symptoms typically become more severe over several years, although the speed at which they worsen varies.
Some of the main symptoms ofCBD are outlined below. Most people with the condition won't experience all of these.
CBD typically affects one of the limbs at first. This is usually a hand or arm, but sometimes a leg.
Problems affecting the limb can include:
Some people also develop problems with walking and co-ordination.
As CBD progresses, it may eventually start to cause problems in your other limbs.
Walking, balance and co-ordination may get worse. Many people have problems with their speech, which will become slow and slurred.
Some people with CBD also have dementia, although this doesn't always occur, symptoms may include:
It's also common for someone with CBD to experience personality changes, such as becoming apathetic, irritable, agitated or anxious.
As CBD reaches an advanced stage, muscle stiffness will continue to get worse. People with the condition may lose the ability to move one or more limbs. Some people are unable to walk and need a wheelchair or assistance to transfer (such as help getting into and out of bed).
Other problems people with advanced CBD can experience include:
As a result of swallowing problems, many people with CBD develop chest infections caused by fluid or small food particles falling down into their lungs (aspiration pneumonia ), which can be life-threatening.
Read about corticobasal degeneration (CBD), a rare condition where brain cells become damaged over time and certain sections of the brain start to shrink.
Read about the main symptoms of corticobasal degeneration (CBD), and find out how they progress over time.
Read about how corticobasal degeneration (CBD) is diagnosed, including what tests and scans may need to be carried out.
Read about the main treatments for corticobasal degeneration (CBD), including medications, physiotherapy and speech and language therapy.