Prions: Current Progress in Advanced Research

Prions are infectious, self-propagating proteinaceous agents that cause fatal neurodegenerative diseases, including Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) in humans, scrapie in sheep and goats, and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in cattle. In recent years, great strides have been made in the understanding of the mechanism of prion propagation and neurotoxicity, however much remains to be discovered. A better understanding of the cell biology of the prion protein is essential for this, allowing for the development of novel anti-prion strategies. In this book, renowned prion experts review the most recent advances to provide a timely and up-to-date overview of the field. The topics covered include: prion proteins (PrP) and their family members * PrP function * molecular mechanisms of prions diseases * immunological strategies for the prevention and treatment of prion disease * microglial inflammation and prion diseases * methods for prion inactivation * clinical aspects of CJD * the BSE and scrapie prions * chronic wasting disease * future strategies for the prevention and treatment of prion diseases. The book closes with a look to the future of prion research. It will be essential reading for everyone with an interest in prions and prion diseases, and it is recommended for all biology, veterinary, and medical libraries.