Question 1

are prion diseases more common among people who hunt and eat what they kill? (due to the meat not being tested for disease)

Accepted Answer

Dept of Health: Contact your local Department of Health and ask if prion disease is a problem in your region.  It is unlikely it would be infecting your venison.

Question 2

describe prion diseases?

Accepted Answer

Rare diseases: Prion diseases are rare disorders that the effected and transmitted by misfolded proteins. Read the site below for more information.
http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/prion-disease.

Question 3

how does the prion get energy?

Accepted Answer

See below: Prions are abnormally folded proteins and per se do not need energy. The energy needed to make the precursor proteins is provided by the affected cells.

Question 4

how common are prion diseases?

Accepted Answer

Not very: Hi, the most common prion disease is CJD, with a uniform incidence of approximately 1 case per million population both in the United States and internationally. Familial forms of prion diseases, such as GSS and fatal familial insomnia (FFI), are much more rare. About 10% of cases of CJD are familial, with an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance linked to mutations in the PRNP gene.

Question 5

how are prions related to viruses?

Accepted Answer

Infections: Prions and viruses can be transmitted from person to person, animal to animal.  That is the only characteristic that is in common between viruses and prions.  Viruses have typical genetic material, either dna or rna, and work with the host cell's own genetic machinery.  Prions are abnormal proteins that encourage abnormal folding of proteins in the host.

Question 6

how do prions multiply without nucleic acids?

Accepted Answer

Structure change: Prions are abnormally folded versions of normal proteins. When a prion comes into contact with the "normal" version of itself, it changes the normal protein's structure into a prion.

Question 7

how do viruses and prions differ from each other?

Accepted Answer

DNA or RNA:: Viruses have dna or rna, prions have neither.

Question 8

what is the difference between amyloid and prion?

Accepted Answer

Protien vz dna/rna: Amyloid is a protein found in the brain associated with neurodegenerative conditions. A prion is a dna or RNA infective agent that can cause diseases.

Question 9

what is the definition or description of: prion diseases?

Accepted Answer

Prion: An infection agent consisting only of protein.   They behave in very much as slow viral infections do clinically.   Many are neurodegenerative; think mad cow disease, scapie, there are others.

Question 10

could i breathe in prions from a hamburger?

Accepted Answer

Prions: Must be ingested ( not airborne ) See my editorial in ( British medical journal Lancet) prion proteins can occur spontaneously as well )

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Are prion diseases more common among people who hunt and eat what they kill? (due to the meat not being tested for disease)

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Describe prion diseases?

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How does the prion get energy?

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How common are prion diseases?

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How are prions related to viruses?

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How do prions multiply without nucleic acids?

A member asked:

How do viruses and prions differ from each other?

A member asked:

What is the difference between amyloid and prion?

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: prion diseases?

A member asked:

Could i breathe in prions from a hamburger?

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