14-3-3 protein is found in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and is currently used to help identify patients with sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD). 

In diagnosing sCJD, the sensitivity of 14-3-3 protein is 92% and its specificity is 80% 1. A negative 14-3-3 assay may be helpful in reducing the suspicion of sCJD.

Results need to be correlated with the patient's history as CSF 14-3-3 can be false positive in acutestroke, encephalitis, and other dementias 1.