An 8-year-old girl is brought to the physician by her parents, who express concerns about their daughters’ academic performance and recent changes in behavior. Her vital signs are normal. Neurologic...

An 8-year-old girl is brought to the physician by her parents, who express concerns about their daughters’ academic performance and recent changes in behavior. Her vital signs are normal. Neurologic examination reveals motor and sensory impairments. Lumbar puncture shows no biochemical abnormalities. At autopsy, the brain shows prominent intranuclear inclusions in neurons and oligodendroglia, marked gliosis in gray and white matter, and demyelination. PCR analysis of the brain tissue shows the presence of a defective form of the measles virus. Which of the following is the appropriate diagnosis?

(A) Fatal familial insomnia

(B) Granulomatous vasculitis of the central nervous system

(C) Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy

(D) Spongiform encephalopathy

(E) Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis