NR AFEG
AU Harrison,P.J.; Roberts,G.W.
TI "Life, Jim, but not as we know it"? Transmissible dementias and the prion protein
QU British Journal of Psychiatry 1991 Apr; 158: 457-70
KI Br J Psychiatry. 1991 Aug;159:291-2. PMID: 1773254 Br J Psychiatry. 1991 Aug;159:292. PMID: 1812879
PT journal article; review; review, tutorial
AB The spongiform encephalopathies are unusual in several respects. Firstly, they are transmissible, and in some cases inheritable. Secondly, variants of these disorders occur in many species and can be transmitted by consumption of infected material; this has led to concern as to the potential risk from eating contaminated animal products. Thirdly, increasing evidence suggests that a 'prion' protein is central to their aetiology and pathogenesis, and that no nucleic acid is involved in the infective process. The role of the prion gene and its protein is outlined and proposed as the basis for an improved classification of the transmissible dementias.
ZR 145
MH Alzheimer Disease/etiology/genetics/pathology; Animal; Creutzfeldt-Jakob Syndrome/genetics/pathology/*transmission; Dementia/*etiology/genetics/pathology; Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker Disease/genetics/pathology/*transmission; Human; Kuru/genetics/pathology/*transmission; Mutation/genetics; Prions/*genetics/pathogenicity; Virulence/genetics
AD Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, St Mary's Hospital Medical School, London.
SP englisch
PO England
OR Prion-Krankheiten H