What disorder involves a decrease in intellectual functioning and coordination issues caused by a virus?

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is a rare, degenerative neurological disorder characterized by rapid cognitive decline, coordination issues, and other significant declines in functioning. It is a type of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy, caused by prions—misfolded proteins that induce abnormal folding of normal proteins in the brain, leading to brain damage and a decrease in intellectual functioning.

This disorder is distinguished by its infectious nature, as it can be caused by exposure to the prions from contaminated tissue or medical procedures. Symptoms typically escalate quickly, involving severe neurological impairment, vision problems, and muscle stiffness or spasms, all of which reflect the coordination issues mentioned. As the disease progresses, it leads to a profound decrease in cognitive ability and ultimately results in death.

In contrast, Huntington's disease is a genetic disorder characterized by movement disorders and cognitive decline but is not caused by a virus. Alzheimer's Disease, while it involves a decline in cognitive functioning, is primarily associated with neurodegeneration due to amyloid plaques and tau tangles, rather than viral infection. Tardive dyskinesia is a movement disorder caused by long-term use of certain medications, particularly antipsychotics, and is not associated with a viral illness.