[Prion dementias: nosology and diagnostic difficulties in the spectrum of Creutzfeld-Jakob encephalopathy].

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is one form of subacute prion diseases with spongiform encephalopathy. Hereditary, infectious and sporadic types of the disorder can be distinguished. The abnormal transformation of the prion protein, relevant in the normal synaptic transmission is considered as an important factor in the development of this disease.

Lack of effect of desglycinamide-arginine-vasopressin (DGAVP) on memory in patients with korsakoff's syndrome.

The effect of desglycinamide9-[Arg8]-vasopressin (DGAVP) on memory processes was studied in patients with Korsakoff's syndrome. Intranasal treatment with DGAVP for 7 days affected neither attention nor short- and long-term memories. It is suggested that treatment with DGAVP is not indicated for all types of memory disorders, and that the beneficial effect of this treatment may depend on the integrity of certain brain structures.