Prion News and Research

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New study shines light on how brain cells die in prion diseases

Prion diseases, such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD), are fast-moving, fatal dementia syndromes associated with the formation of aggregates of the prion protein, PrP.

22 Dec 2021

Researchers discover new mechanism behind the formation of membrane vesicles

Canadian and American researchers have discovered a new mechanism by which membrane vesicles are made. These self-contained nanoparticles trap proteins, RNA and other molecules from inside or outside of living cells as nutrients or regulate the numbers of cell surface hormone receptors, such as those for insulin, to control the sensitivity of cells to hormones.

10 Dec 2021

Research may provide clues to how viral infections contribute to neurodegeneration

Some viral diseases could possibly contribute to neurodegeneration. DZNE researchers report this in the scientific journal "Nature Communications".

19 Oct 2021

Atomic-level imaging of infectious prions reveals new therapeutic targets for untreatable diseases

The highest-ever resolution imaging of an infectious prion provides the first atomic-level data of how these abnormal proteins are assembled to cause fatal neurodegenerative diseases in people and animals-; and how they can be potentially targeted by new therapies.

24 Aug 2021

SARS-CoV N protein elicits production of IFN-β by provoking ubiquitination of RIG-I, finds study

A recent study published in Frontiers in Immunology focuses on the roles of the SADS-CoV N protein in IFN suppression during infection.

23 Jun 2021

First insights into human prion disease could help tackle neurodegenerative diseases

Surface features of human prions have been identified for the first time, which may provide key information into treatments of neurodegenerative diseases.

18 Jun 2021

Study finds new clues to explain how Alzheimer’s disease spreads in the brain

Case Western Reserve University researchers studying prions-;misfolded proteins that cause lethal incurable diseases-;have identified for the first time surface features of human prions responsible for their replication in the brain.

18 Jun 2021

Human cerebral organoid model to screen drugs for treatment of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

Approximately two years after establishing a human cerebral organoid system to study Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), National Institutes of Health researchers have further developed the model to screen drugs for potential CJD treatment.

9 Mar 2021

Study demonstrates the novel agonistic effect of curcumin on lipid transcription

Curcumin is a polyphenol compound produced by plants of the Curcuma longa species and has been reported to have many physiological activities, which include anti-oxidation, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-amyloid properties.

27 Feb 2021

Preventing seizures after head injury could slow or prevent the onset of dementia

Blocking seizures after a head injury could slow or prevent the onset of dementia, according to new research by University of Alberta biologists.

25 Feb 2021

Study provides new information about the structure of prion proteins

Prion diseases are a group of rapidly progressive, fatal and infectious neurodegenerative disorders affecting both humans and animals: Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) or 'mad cow' disease is one of the most famous since in 1996 scientists found that the agent responsible for the disease in cows, is the same agent responsible for the so-called variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD), a disease affecting humans.

20 Feb 2021

Study explores how membraneless organelles form and organize themselves

In cells, numerous important biochemical functions take place within spherical chambers made from proteins and RNA.

9 Feb 2021

Study finds locations of early prion protein accumulation in the eye

The earliest eye damage from prion disease takes place in the cone photoreceptor cells, specifically in the cilia and the ribbon synapses, according to a new study of prion protein accumulation in the eye by National Institutes of Health scientists.

29 Jan 2021

Jellagen launches JellaGel™, the first Collagen Type 0 Hydrogel taking on the market leading Extracellular Matrix

Jellagen® Limited, a biotechnology company manufacturing high-value Collagen Type 0 derived from jellyfish, announce the launch of their JellaGel™ Hydrogel.

From Jellagen 15 Jan 2021

Experimental drug can reverse age-related memory decline in mice

Just a few doses of an experimental drug can reverse age-related declines in memory and mental flexibility in mice, according to a new study by UC San Francisco scientists.

1 Dec 2020

The best COVID warning system? Poop and pooled spit, says one Colorado school

Carol Wilusz's mornings now often start at 4 a.m., scanning the contents of undergraduates' feces. Specifically, scanning the data on how much coronavirus they flushed into the shadows, destined to be extracted from 17 manholes connected to dorm buildings on Colorado State University's Fort Collins campus.

3 Nov 2020

Researchers use new approach to study the mechanisms of cellular uptake of amyloid beta

One of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease is the formation of amyloid plaques--sticky clumps of a protein called amyloid beta--that collect between neurons in the brain.

3 Nov 2020

Research program aims to thwart prion-like spread of tau pathology in Alzheimer’s disease

Tangles of misfolded tau proteins in the brain are closely associated with memory loss in patients with Alzheimer's disease. In order for this tau pathology to spread, the protein must interact with heparan sulfate, a sugar molecule found on the surface of neurons.

28 Oct 2020

New technique can detect TDP-43 protein in patients with ALS and frontotemporal dementia

A test to diagnose two very serious diseases such as ALS and FTD when the pathologies have not yet appeared, thereby providing doctors and patients with essential information tools to tackle them early and develop new treatments.

27 Oct 2020

Trend analysis in Japan reveals Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease may not be so rare anymore

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a debilitating disorder that causes rapid degeneration of the brain as well as progressing dementia.

19 Oct 2020