History of Prions

History of Prions

Prions are abnormally folding proteins causing neurological symptoms and always leading to death. This disease can be transmitted to any species, however there is a species barrier associated with it. Kuru was first discovered in the Fore tribe located in Papua, New Guinea. The cause was later identified as the ritualistic cannibalism that took place in this tribe. Scientists studied this disease for centuries, revealing that this disease was neither caused by a virus nor an infection. Kuru has been almost completely eradicated since the diminish of cannibalism.

Gaping holes suddenly appear in your brain with no obvious explanation. The Cause of this complex and horrifying symptom remained a mystery for centuries. Scientists recently found the cause is a rare disease called prions. Scientists are still baffled by the cause and cure for this fairly old disease. “A prion is an abnormal transmissible agent that somehow induces abnormal folding of normal prion proteins in the brain leading to brain damage”. (http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/prions/) This disease is seen in humans as well as animals. Prions aren’t currently treatable and are always fatal. But where this disease comes from and how long it has been here lies in the history of the Fore Tribe.

Scrapie, the first known transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), first appeared in Great Britain during the 1700s. The affected sheep had extreme itchiness causing them to incessantly scrape themselves against trees, earning the disease the name, Scrapie. These sheep also had trouble moving their rear legs and severe seizures. Both of these symptoms being classic signs of brain damage, scientists were confused about the cause of this peculiar disease.

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...om government officials, basically eradicating the disease completely. Because of the constant research that was carried out prominently during the nineties, we now know a lot more about brain disease like Kuru and how they work.

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Works Cited

“Mad Cow: Coming Home.” The Why Files. 2004. 14 July 2008 .

“Mad Cow Disease/Kuru/CJD.” Rense.com. 14 July 2008 .

“NINDS Kuru Information Page.” National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. 20 June 2008. 18 July 2008 .

“Prion Diseases.” Center For Disease Control and Prevention. 26 Jan. 2006. 20 July 2008 .

Wickner, Reed B. Prion Diseases of Mammals and Yeast: Molecular Mechanisms and Genetic Features. Austin, Texas: R.G. Landes Company, 1997.