Corticobasal degeneration is diagnosed with a neurological exam (testing of reflexes, coordination, sensation, etc.) and neuroimaging studies, including computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

There are no treatments that can slow or reverse the course of CBD. Some symptoms can be lessened with drugs, although these are inconsistently effective and become less effective as time passes.

The reasons of the disease are unknown, it is true that it may be caused by degenerated gene, but even with it present the disease rarely occurs. An additional enviromental or virus trigger is susspected to couse it.

The symptoms of CBD may begin with either movement disorders or cognitive disorders. The movement disorders seen in CBD are similar to those in Parkinson's disease (PD), and CBD is often initially misdiagnosed as PD.

Ability to move without a wheelchair is usually lost within five years of diagnosis. Within 10 years, swallowing difficulties often put the patient at risk for developing aspiration pneumonia, or lung infection from food in the airways.