133 | Prion Diseases | Why We Do What We Do

What to Expect

This was a creepy discussion that maybe would have been better suited to a Halloween episode. We break down the process of brain deterioration from misfolded proteins called “prions” [pree-awnz]. Perhaps you’ve heard of Mad Cow disease, Crutzfeldt-Jakob disease. These are types of prion diseases. Unfortunately, prion diseases have no cure and cannot be prevented by heating or otherwise chemically treating food containing prions. Prion diseases have a 100% fatality rate within 2-3 years of diagnosis. Furthermore, it is unlikely to be diagnoseable until destruction is nearly complete. The only strategy we have is to try and prevent this disease by avoiding consuming things that are likely to cause it.

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Links for Today:

https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn91-bse-disaster-the-history/ (old article describing story of first recognizing prion disease in cows)
https://www.cdc.gov/prions/index.html (CDC’s list of prion diseases for humans and animals)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bovine_spongiform_encephalopathy (Wikipedia on mad cow disease)
https://www.cbc.ca/news2/background/madcow/ (2006 news article of the history of mad cow disease in the Americas)
https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/all-about-bse-mad-cow-disease (FDA description of mad cow disease)

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