Which symptom is most characteristic of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease?

Myoclonus is the symptom most characteristic of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). This neurodegenerative disorder, caused by prion proteins, manifests with a variety of neurological symptoms, among which myoclonus stands out. Myoclonus refers to sudden, involuntary jerking of a muscle or a group of muscles, and it is particularly prevalent in CJD patients. This symptom often precedes or appears alongside other common manifestations of the disease, such as cognitive decline and ataxia.

In CJD, myoclonus can be quite prominent and is often a key feature that aids in early diagnosis. The nature of prion diseases, including CJD, tends to lead to these involuntary muscle spasms due to the rapid progression of neurological damage.

Other symptoms, while relevant to different neurological disorders, do not describe the hallmark characteristics of CJD. Hemiparesis, for instance, may occur in various conditions affecting the brain but is not specifically associated with the rapid, progressive nature of CJD. Tardive dyskinesia is usually a side effect of long-term medication use, particularly antipsychotics, and is not a symptom of CJD. Bradykinesia, which