CJD is a disease caused by a misfolding protein, called a prion. (PREE-on) Prion diseases are a group of rare and fatal brain diseases which occur in both humans and animals. In humans, it is known as CJD. Cows get BSE, which stands for bovine spongiform encephalopathy. Deer and elk contract CWD, or chronic wasting disease. There is no cure or clinical diagnosis for CJD. There is no cure for any of the diseases in the prion family.
I support stem cell research in case CJD happens to me someday, and even if it doesn't. Stem cells may one day be a valid form of therapy for those suffering from CJD. Prions eat holes in the brain, so how do you regenerate the parts of the brain that were lost to CJD? Stem cells could be an answer. Actually, it looks like a NINDS scientist is already making brain cells regenerate. Check it out!
posted by Heather Larson at Friday, June 30, 2006
I am a media veteran with 12 years experience in radio broadcasting, print journalism and online content writing. You can e-mail me at: hotwords AT mac dot com.
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