Prion disease

Iron is involved in prion disease-associated neuronal demise

harminka — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 16:34:05 -0500

Imbalance of iron homeostasis is a common feature of prion disease-affected human, mouse, and hamster brains, according to a new study by Dr. Neena Singh and colleagues at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, alongside collaborators from Creighton University.

Common soil mineral degrades the nearly indestructible prion

harminka — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 11:36:53 -0600

In the rogues' gallery of microscopic infectious agents, the prion is the toughest hombre in town.

Mutant proteins result in infectious prion disease in mice

harminka — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 01:16:38 -0600

A worldwide group of scientists has created an infectious prion disease in a mouse model, in a step that may help unravel the mystery of this progressive disease that affects the nervous system in humans and animals.

Prion infectivity found in white and brown fat tissues of mice

harminka — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 11:10:21 -0600

Researchers from the National Institutes of Health and the Scripps Research Institute have found novel prion infectivity in white and brown fat tissues of mice. The study appears December 5 in the open-access journal PLoS Pathogens.

Mouse model of prion disease mimics diverse symptoms of human disorder

harminka — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 15:16:29 -0600

A comprehensive mouse model of inherited prion disease exhibits cognitive, motor, and neurophysiological deficits that bear a striking resemblance to the symptoms experienced by patients with the human version of "mad cow disease," Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD).

Is there more to prion protein than mad cow disease?

harminka — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 12:44:18 -0500

Prion protein, a form of protein that triggers BSE, is associated with other brain diseases in cattle, raising the possibility of a significant increase in the range of prion disease.

Prions show their good side

harminka — Thu, 08 May 2008 04:58:25 -0500

Prions, the infamous agents behind mad cow disease and its human variation, Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, also have a helpful side. According to new findings from Gerald Zamponi and colleagues, normally functioning prions prevent neurons from working themselves to death. The findings appear in the May 5th issue of the Journal of Cell Biology.

New insights into the diversity of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease agents

harminka — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 14:06:19 -0500

Researchers from the United Kingdom and France have identified four separate biochemical subgroups in a selection of cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. The study, published March 14th in the open-access journal PLoS Pathogens, suggests that these subgroups could represent distinct prion strains in what is the most common human prion disease.

A nano-sensor for better detection of Mad Cow Disease agent

harminka — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 14:21:11 -0600

In an advance in food safety, researchers in New York are reporting development of a nano-sized sensor that detects record low levels of the deadly prion proteins that cause Mad Cow Disease and other so-called prion diseases.

Prions link cholesterol to neurodegeneration

harminka — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 09:31:29 -0600

Prion infection of neurons increases the free cholesterol content in cell membranes. A new study published in the online open access journal BMC Biology suggests that disturbances in membrane cholesterol may be the mechanism by which prions cause neurodegeneration and could point to a role for cholesterol in other neurodegenerative diseases.

New tests that identify lethal prion strains quickly and accurately

harminka — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 06:16:00 -0600

One of the new in vitro tests, called the Standard Scrapie Cell Assay, measures prion infectivity levels in a highly accurate and extremely rapid way, producing results in less than two weeks. The second test, called the Cell Panel Assay, allows researchers to quickly distinguish between several prion strains in various cells lines.

Lymph nodes can be key in spreading prion infectivity

harminka — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 05:13:02 -0500

Lymph nodes can be crucial for spreading low doses of infective prion agents -the pathogens responsible for conditions such as scrapie and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease - into the nervous system, according to new research published in the online open access journal BMC Veterinary Research.