DrugInformations.org

Scientists at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have discovered that an important cellular quality control mechanism may actually be toxic to some brain cells during prion infection. The research, published by Cell Press in the September 16th issue of the journal Developmental Cell, proposes a new general mechanism of cellular dysfunction that can contribute to the devastating and widespread neuronal death characteristic of slowly progressing neurodegenerative diseases.

More: continued here

No Comments »

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.

More: continued here

No Comments »

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.

More: continued here

No Comments »