Recent research from the University of Toronto and Caprion Pharmaceuticals have discovered one possible avenue which might lead to quicker diagnosis, a vaccine or possibly even treatment for prion diseases.
Side-chain of amino acids
- The abnormally folded proteins which cause the disease have been found to expose a side chain of amino acids which the properly folded protein does not expose. Antibodies specifically coded to this side chain amino acid sequence have been found to stimulate an immune response to the abnormal prions and leave the normal proteins intact.
Custom Peptide Sequences
- Another idea involves using custom peptide sequences. Since some research suggests prions aggregate by forming beta barrel structures, work done in vitro has shown that peptides made up of beta barrel-incompatible amino acids can help break up accumulations of prion.
Genetic Therapy
- the gene for protease-resistant protein is considered to be an error in several species, and therefore something to be inhibited.
You may be asked to stop taking any medications that could affect your memory or cause confusion. Your doctor may refer you to specialists in neurology and infectious diseases. And your doctor will provide medications to ease your symptoms. If you develop seizures, for example, you may be given drugs to help control them.
But the reality is that all prion diseases cause death. There are no effective treatments available. Progression from symptoms to diagnosis to death may be rapid (from 8 months for sporadic CJD to up to 60 months for GSS).
You can make choices to lower your risk for contracting vCJD from contaminated beef:
- Eat poultry and fish, or choose a vegetarian diet.
- Avoid beef products that may contain bits of spinal cord or brain tissue. These include ground beef, sausage, and hot dogs. Solid pieces of muscle meat are less likely to be contaminated. Bone-in cuts such as a T-bone steak and intestine are more risky.
- If traveling to countries where BSE has been detected, such as the United Kingdom, Europe, Portugal, and Spain, don¡¯t eat beef.
- Avoid having a blood transfusion overseas.
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