Author Interviews, CDC, Infections / 20.05.2024
NIH Study Suggests Prion Disease Unlikely to Spread from Deer to Humans
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_61743" align="alignleft" width="150"]
Dr. Haigh[/caption]
Cathryn Haigh, Ph.D.
Chief Prion Cell Biology Unit
Laboratory of Neurological Infections and Immunity
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Division of Intramural Research, Rocky Mountain Laboratories
National Institutes of Health
Hamilton, MT 59840
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study, ie what are prions/prion-related diseases? Where are prions found?
Response: Prion diseases are infectious neurodegenerative diseases of humans and animals. In humans these diseases often manifest as rapidly progressing dementias but are rarely caused by a known exposure to the infectious agents (prions). More commonly they are sporadic (no known cause) or hereditary.
One form of human disease is believed to have arisen from eating beef contaminated with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (as known as mad cow disease). This has resulted in concerns that chronic wasting disease (CWD), a prion disease affecting deer, elk and moose, might also have the potential to cross the species barrier and cause disease in humans. To date, transmissions of CWD prions to cynomolgus macaques have been negative, a good sign that crossing the species barrier would not be easy, but macaques are not human so we wanted to test whether CWD could infect human brain tissue.
To do this we used a human cerebral organoid model (mini human brain tissues grown from skin cells in a laboratory) and directly exposed the organoids to prions from the brains of animals that had died of CWD.
Dr. Haigh[/caption]
Cathryn Haigh, Ph.D.
Chief Prion Cell Biology Unit
Laboratory of Neurological Infections and Immunity
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Division of Intramural Research, Rocky Mountain Laboratories
National Institutes of Health
Hamilton, MT 59840
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study, ie what are prions/prion-related diseases? Where are prions found?
Response: Prion diseases are infectious neurodegenerative diseases of humans and animals. In humans these diseases often manifest as rapidly progressing dementias but are rarely caused by a known exposure to the infectious agents (prions). More commonly they are sporadic (no known cause) or hereditary.
One form of human disease is believed to have arisen from eating beef contaminated with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (as known as mad cow disease). This has resulted in concerns that chronic wasting disease (CWD), a prion disease affecting deer, elk and moose, might also have the potential to cross the species barrier and cause disease in humans. To date, transmissions of CWD prions to cynomolgus macaques have been negative, a good sign that crossing the species barrier would not be easy, but macaques are not human so we wanted to test whether CWD could infect human brain tissue.
To do this we used a human cerebral organoid model (mini human brain tissues grown from skin cells in a laboratory) and directly exposed the organoids to prions from the brains of animals that had died of CWD.
In recent years, our communities have faced unprecedented challenges to public health and hygiene, especially after the most recent global pandemic. Beyond the immediate crises, longstanding issues like poor dietary choices and the rising stress levels in people worldwide have further highlighted the critical need for robust health and hygiene practices.
These concerns, while global in scale, demand local solutions—initiatives that begin in our own neighborhoods. Promoting health and hygiene at a community level not only addresses these urgent issues but also sets the foundation for broader national change. This article offers ten tips for anyone eager to lead such transformative efforts within their community, underscoring that even the smallest steps can pave the way to significant health improvements for all.
According to the 
The reaction triggers the symptoms you recognize as your allergy, such as a runny nose and itchy eyes. 
Dr. Guasch-Ferré[/caption]
Marta Guasch-Ferré, PhD
Associate Professor and Deputy Head of Section, Section of Epidemiology
University of Copenhagen
Group Leader, Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research
Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Nutrition
Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fats and contains compounds with antioxidant activity that may play a protective role for the brain. Olive oil as part of a Mediterranean diet appears to have a beneficial effect against cognitive decline. Higher olive oil intake was previously associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. But its association with dementia mortality was unknown.
Prof. Mainelis[/caption]
Gediminas "Gedi" Mainelis, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Environmental Sciences
School of Environmental and Biological Sciences
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What types of particles, ie where do they come from?
Response: This work is a continuation of my research on nanoparticles in consumer products. We have investigated and published on the release of particles from nano-enabled consumer products, such as cosmetic powders, various sprays and clothing.
In this project, we were interested in potential resuspension of particles once nano-enabled consumer sprays are used. The particles are added into consumer products to provide them certain desired properties, like antimicrobial protection, odor reduction or protection against UV (sunscreen). Once the products are used, the particles are released and we could be exposed to them.
Dr. Li Gan[/caption]
Dr. Li Gan PhD
Burton P. and Judith B. Resnick Distinguished Professor in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Brain and Mind Research Institute
Weill Cornell Medical College
[caption id="attachment_61627" align="alignleft" width="150"]
