Prion Disease | How does Prion Disease Happen

Prion Disease is caused by a single protein that makes a mistake and misfolds. If you want to know how Prion Disease happens then this video is for you. I will go over the top 3 most likely ways a person can get Prion Disease, what Prion proteins do in the body, and the role of the immune system in Prion Disease.

Here are my sources:

[Don_Yates]

Prions have been a concern to me for years now. A year ago the state of Arkansas set up check stations for deer hunters to bring in their meat to get tested. At that time it was stated that there was a 40% increase in the number of deer tested being infected. That's scary to me. I have been telling people I know to get their meat tested but they all laugh at me and eat it anyway. I fear that 15 to 20 years from now, we will see a huge number of people with prion disease. I hope I'm wrong

[abrahamroldan]

Here in Chile, the ratio of people is very high (3, 5 cases in 1 million) compared to other countries, and it has almost nothing to do with animals. According to the neurologist that diagnosed my dad, in Chile is just sporadic or genetic. In this case it might be sporadic, and I could carry it too. My dad is on his 3rd month and is 57 years old. As far as I know, Chile has the highest rate of incidents and even a whole family was affected by this. There is a small group in Facebook that has also shared their experiences and a lot of them had lost at least 3 relatives just because it could be hereditary. I’m truly scared of this, but now, I have to take care of my dad and be the main support for my mom.
I hope that more research could be done so future people can have some kind of medicine. This is so quick that seems unreal :/

[ThePROFESSNAL]

Here because my wife’s colleague has just put his wife in hospice for this disease. She was fine a few days ago, now she doesn’t know who she is. Terribly sad. I will say I am amazed that humans were at least able to determine how this disease operates. Thanks for the explanation. I am still lost on how a protein can encourage another protein to “mis-fold” if it’s not alive, nor does it carry any type of genetic code.

[amerikanviking]

I van tell you exactly how this is happening now. "No creature should ever eat it's own kind." Well... we've been feeding cows, cows! We're putting Tallow on Corn at Feedlots and feeding it to cattle. The cycle continues and continues. The cows are not alive long enough to show signs of the damage. But, as it continues, I suspect we will see more and more of this with people. Eat only grass-fed cows. Best way to avoid this issue. Remember, Tallow is made in the same plant that the cows are slaughtered in. Tallow may contain brain matter from the cows considering the brain contains a lot of fat and would be useful in the production of Tallow for use at Feedlots. This is a disgusting practice that was never meant to happen. The feedlots will defend this practice until the end of time saying it is useful for making the cows bigger for more meat production to feed more people. It's disgusting and is probably killing people. It's very sad.

[cheeseismypeace]

As a 16 years old student doing a research.. that is terrifying to know that the immune system cant do much about it. But it’s interesting to know a lot about the topic prion disease.

[mybooneyboy]

I was looking for a simple yet informative description of CJD for my surgical nurse interns and your explanation and teaching visuals are perfection! I also developed a better understanding of Prion disease, CJD and vCJD because you presented this material so well. I've never completely grasped how prion disease happens but you made it so much clearer! Thank you very much!

[stormriderkaos]

I love your drawings and cutouts. So much faster (?) and more artistic than computer-generated animations :). Really adds a human touch.

[KMSETTE]

Excellent video. I just watched the Australian documentary about the Kuru tribe in Papua New Guinea. The disease can lay dormant for so long!! It’s horrifying. 🥺

[tatianasilva]

Excellent explanation! I can finally understand why prion dieases are so damaging to the brain and can cause so many neurodegenerative diseases.

1) It seemed to me that the 'mad cow disease' developed pretty fast in the victims. Is that because of the amount of infected prions consumed? Does the amount of infected prions accelerate the process?

2) Just to make it clear, no amount of cooking can prevent someone from "catching infected prions" if the meat is contaminated?

[traceymcghee]

I have a great interest and appreciation for science. I just fell on your videos and love your explanation and drawings. You're a great teacher! I look forward to more of your videos

[biocatalyst]

Great information. You explained really well in a very simple yet detailed way. Thanks

[MrOlaboss]

I wish you could explain ALS in your excellent way. My father had ALS for >20 years and one of my aging cousins also have had ALS for that length of time.
I had a former co-worker who died of CJD, sad!

[egallardo]

I have to do a project presentation and I was given PrP as my topic. I have been reading article on top of article and none have explained it remotely near as good as you have. Thanks

[ezmaze]

Knowing about prions make me paranoid asf

[ReneeandJimmyG]

My brother just passed from CJD. It's the most horrific way for a person to die.

[sophiapina]

Thank you. Please continue teaching us!!! You are a great educator.

[francinejones]

What a scary scary illness. I’m sad for anyone that has gone through this with a loved one.

[jasonmckinley]

Thank you! This has been the best explanation ive seen! Im studying medical laboratory technology and heard about CWD from family members, so naturally, I went down the google/youtube rabbit hole about prions haha. Keep it up, I like the drawings. I thought the BBB would prevent proteins from entering so this was very informative.

[PumpedSmartass]

What are the plans for a possible treatment ? Maybe we should experiment on dendritic cells and make them effective against misfolded prions, then update our dendritic cells or production with CRiSPR. Is it possible? Or is there a better plan already ?

[viviandevilliers]

Thank you for a very clear description of prion disease.