Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies

Paper Summary:

This paper examines transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) which are fatal, incurable degenerative diseases of the brain transmitted by prions. The paper explains the prion hypothesis, disease transmission and features of TSE and then examines each of the five known TSE diseases in humans. Lastly, the paper looks at the research regarding a possible cure or vaccine for TSE.

Table of Contents:
The Prion Hypothesis
Disease transmission
Disease markers
Features of TSE
Kuru
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
Gerstmann Straussler Scheinker syndrome
Fatal familial insomnia
Alper's syndrome
Possible cure or vaccine for TSE

From the Paper:

"There is progressive cerebellar dysfunction in the middle years. There is unsteadiness, clumsiness, incoordination and progressive gait difficulty. The cerebellar signs become more severe as the disease progresses with ataxia, dysarthria, and nystagmus. Additional findings in some are, parkinsonism, pyramidal and extrapyramidal findings, blindness and gaze palsies. Compared to CJD, dementia and myoclonus are either absent or minor."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Alper T, Cramp WA, Haig DA, Clarke MC (1967). Does the agent of scrapie replicate without nucleic acid? Nature 214 (90), 764-766
• Kenneth LT, prion diseases, Harrison's principles of internal medicine, 1998, 14th edition, vol 2, pp. 2449-2451.
• Oesch B, et al (1985). A cellular gene encodes PrP 27-30 protein. Cell 40 (4), pp. 735-746
• Prusiner SB (1982). Novel proteinaceous infectious particles cause scrapie. Science 216 (4542), pp.136-144
• Possible cure or vaccine http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/06/030602025719.htm

More papers on Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies:

• Essay # 58328 : "Mad Cow Disease"
• Essay # 25777 : "Mad Cow Disease: Governmental and Media Culpability"
• Descriptive Essay # 106454 : "Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD)"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: