Corticobasal degeneration

Corticobasal degeneration is a form of frontotemporal degeneration, a dementia that involves the loss of cognitive functions such as the ability to think, remember, or reason to the point that it interferes with a person's daily life and activities. Corticobasal degeneration can affect:

• Movement
• Balance
• Coordination
• Memory
• Vision
• Speaking and swallowing
• Other bodily functions

Corticobasal degeneration primarily affects the cerebral cortex (the outer part of the brain) and the basal ganglia (structures deep within the brain that are involved with movement). The disease continues to worsen, causes nerve cells to die, and multiple areas of the brain to shrink (atrophy).

Not everyone who has corticobasal degeneration has problems with memory, cognition, language, or behavior. People with corticobasal degeneration can live up to 6-8 years following symptom onset, sometimes longer.

How can I or my loved one help improve care for people with corticobasal degeneration?

Consider participating in a clinical trial so clinicians and scientists can learn more about corticobasal degeneration and related disorders. Clinical research uses human volunteers to help researchers learn more about a disorder and perhaps find better ways to safely detect, treat, or prevent disease.

All types of volunteers are needed—those who are healthy or may have an illness or disease—of all different ages, sexes, races, and ethnicities to ensure that study results apply to as many people as possible, and that treatments will be safe and effective for everyone who will use them.

For information about participating in clinical research visit NIH Clinical Research Trials and You. Learn about clinical trials currently looking for people with corticobasal degeneration at Clinicaltrials.gov.

Where can I find more information about corticobasal degeneration?

Information may be available from the following resource:

Genetics and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center

Content source: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/corticobasal-degeneration Accessed July 12, 2023.

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