Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the devastating Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). It describes the initial symptoms of CJD and it progression throughout the illness. The paper then analyzes the link between CJD and the prion protein in the brain. It also looks at diagnosis of the disease. The paper then goes on to research if the fact that CJD is limited to the central nervous system and olfactory-nerve tissue could indicate that some other factor besides the prion is involved. The paper presents the research design, its challenges and results.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Research Question
Methods
Research Team
Funding
Results
Leadership Skills
Challenges
Summary

From the Paper:

"Very little is known about CJD in terms of what causes the mutation of the prion protein. Whereas sporadic CJD was always marked by low incidence since the 1920s, there is currently an alarming increase in the incidence of the disease in Switzerland. The reasons for this increase need to be studied immediately. After a decade of focus on the prion protein, studies are needed to determine underlying factors that may be affecting that protein to mutate. The mechanism by which the prion can avoid the immune system needs to be studied, along with the central question of how a protein can destroy neurons. The idea that a protein can destroy is a total paradox which needs to be resolved. Other questions concern how patients might be diagnosed without the need for invasive procedures."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Belay, E. & Schonberger, L. (2005). The public health impact of prion diseases. Annual Review of Public Health, 26, 191-212.
• Duncan, K. (2003). Hunting the 1918 flu. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.
• Glatzel, M. & Abela, E. (2003). Extraneural pathologic prion protein in sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. New England Journal of Medicine, 349 (19), 1812-1829.
• Hirschberger, T. & Stork, M. (2006). Structural instability of the prion protein upon M205S/R mutations revealed by molecular dynamics simulations. Biophysical Journal, 90 (11), 3908-3919.
• Krebs, B. & Lederer, R. (2005). Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease associated with an R148H mutation of the prion protein gene. Neurogenetics, 6, 97-100.

More papers on Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease:

• Descriptive Essay # 106454 : "Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD)"
• Term Paper # 96846 : "Mad Cow Disease"
• Analytical Essay # 130531 : "CJD Disease"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: