[Subacute spongiform encephalopathy with multiform plaque formation. "Peculiar familial-hereditary disease of CNS [spinocerebellar atrophy with dementia, plaques, and plaque-like deposits in cerebellum and cerebrum" (Gerstmann, Sträussler, Scheinker)] (author's transl)].

Report of two unrelated cases of a rare familiar disease of degenerative nature, from a clinical point of view belonging to the spinocerebellar atrophies, combined with dementia. According to the pedigrees, the disease can be followed up to 3--4 generations. Microscopic study reveals glioneuronal dystrophy with spongiform changes together with kuru plaques and atypical plaque-like formations, hitherto only described in this disease. Nosological aspects of these findings are discussed.