Corticobasal degeneration

Corticobasal degeneration (CBD), sometimes referred to as corticobasal syndrome (CBS) is a serious brain condition where over time, you start having trouble walking and talking. The initial signs of corticobasal degeneration are similar to Parkinson's disease. Sometimes, genetic mutations can cause corticobasal degeneration.

Right now, there aren't any treatments that can stop it, but therapies such as speech therapy, physical therapy and occupational therapy can help you manage the symptoms better.

What is corticobasal degeneration?

This rare disease damages brain cells and causes parts of the brain to shrink, specifically the cerebral cortex and the basal ganglia.

The cerebral cortex supports your memory, learning, senses and voluntary movements. Whereas the basal ganglia are nerve cells vital for motor functions (walking and talking) and learning.

While research doesn’t point to a specific cause of corticobasal degeneration, they know that it is the result of damage caused by a buildup of the protein tau. Genetics also plays a factor in the development of corticobasal degeneration.

When symptoms first appear, you will notice them on one side of your body. As time and the disease progresses, you will lose your ability to swallow, move and talk.

Symptoms of corticobasal degeneration 

Corticobasal degeneration symptoms are different in everybody. Typically, symptoms will be noticeable in your 60s if you have corticobasal degeneration. However, some people begin to show signs in their 40s.

As the disease progresses, symptoms often become worse and can affect both motor and cognitive skills. Corticobasal degeneration (corticobasal syndrome) symptoms may include:

• Difficulty with movement and coordination, such as stiffness, rigidity and jerky movements
• Trouble with balance and walking, often leading to falls
• Muscle weakness, particularly on one side of the body
• Changes in speech, including slurred speech or difficulty forming words
• Cognitive problems, such as memory loss, difficulty with problem-solving and confusion
• Muscle spasms or involuntary movements
• Tremors, similar to those seen in Parkinson's disease, but often more irregular
• Loss of sensation or tingling in limbs

These symptoms can vary from person to person and may worsen over time as the disease progresses.

Conditions that have similar symptoms

Corticobasal degeneration symptoms are like those in other neurological conditions, including:

• Brain cancer
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Dementia
• Parkinson’s disease
• Multiple system atrophy
• Stroke
• Progressive supranuclear palsy

Diagnosing corticobasal degeneration

To diagnose corticobasal degeneration, your doctor will perform a medical exam, review your symptoms and ask about your medical history. Even though a gene mutation causes corticobasal degeneration, genetic testing cannot predict or detect it.

Other tests your doctor may perform include:

• Blood tests
• Imaging tests (MRI or CT scan)
• Neurophysiological tests for memory, talking, motor skills and cognition
• Spinal tap

Management and treatment for corticobasal degeneration

There is no cure for corticobasal degeneration or treatment to slow its progression. The focus of treatment is managing the difficulties with speech and motor skills that’s caused by corticobasal degeneration.

A combination of antidepressants and anti-seizure medications may be used to help with mood changes and muscle spasms.

Physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy are often utilized to help improve daily life and help maintain independence. These therapies help with mobility, muscle weakness, communication and swallowing.

Palliative care may be utilized to help manage symptoms and provide relief. Palliative care can be administered in hospitals, clinics, nursing facilities or at home after diagnosis and at the same time as treatment.