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Archive for the 'CJD / vCJD / Mad Cow Disease' Category

Mad Cow Disease Also Caused By Genetic Mutation Research Shows

Sep 30th 2008Drug InformationCJD / vCJD / Mad Cow Disease

New findings about the causes of mad cow disease show that sometimes it may be genetic. “We now know it’s also in the genes of cattle,” said Juergen A. Richt, Regents Distinguished Professor of Diagnostic Medicine and Pathobiology at Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Until several years ago, Richt said, it was thought that the cattle prion disease bovine spongiform encephalopathy — also called BSE or mad cow disease — was a foodborne disease.

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Resistant Prions

Sep 8th 2008Drug InformationCJD / vCJD / Mad Cow Disease

Prions, the pathogens that cause scrapie in sheep, can survive in the ground for several years, as researchers have discovered. Animals can become infected via contaminated pastures. It is not yet known whether the pathogens that cause BSE and CWD are equally resistant. A flock of sheep at pasture - a seemingly idyllic scene. But appearances can be deceptive: If the animals are suffering from scrapie, entire flocks may perish.

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The Up Side Of Prions

Jul 31st 2008Drug InformationCJD / vCJD / Mad Cow Disease

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 Journal of Cell Biology. Diseases such as mad cow result when the prion protein adopts an abnormal conformation.

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