New research into prions might help further research into the treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative diseases.
Prions are abnormal agents that can occur in cellular proteins. They are infectious and quickly spread. That’s what makes these agents so problematic. When there is an infection, it spreads quickly.
Perhaps the most well known example of prion disease is what is usually referred to as “mad cow disease.” It is a wasting disease typically found in cows, moose, and deer. Unfortunately, it can also have a negative impact on humans.
The research into prions is finding that there are ways to fight them. Interestingly, medications that are currently being used in the fight against other neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, also seem to help fight the spread of prions. The team looked at a series of molecular compounds and found that there was overlap in the treatment between the diseases. The team found that they could limit the spread of prion disease through these compounds.
This research is exciting for a few reasons. One, because there hasn’t been an effective treatment for prion disease in the past. Mad cow disease has always been fatal in the past. This research provides hope that the potential for a health emergency from prion disease could be minimized. And two, it helps to illuminate more information when it comes to typical neurodegenerative diseases. This kind of research could help doctors move one step closer toward a better outcome for those that have these diseases.
This research comes out of the Boston University School of Medicine. The team published their findings in the journal ACS Chemical Neuroscience. It appears to be a notable step forward in research into neurodegenerative diseases. Hopefully, this can help advance research even further as a starting point for future research projects.
It’s important to remember that there is no cure for many types of neurodegenerative diseases at this time, including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s. That’s one of the reasons why research like this is so important; it helps us to better understand how to assist those that are struggling with these kinds of diseases right here and right now. It might not provide a cure, but it provides deeper understanding of the diseases and that can ultimately lead to better treatment and a higher quality of care for those that are impacted.
When a loved one is struggling, it takes a toll on everyone around them, including family. Finding the right resources to help ensure that your family has all of the help that they need can ease a lot of the burden that you might be experiencing right now.
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