The Power of Prions is a new book by neurovirologist Michel Brahic, which explores the molecular biology of disease-causing prions. Prions are misfolded proteins that can arise naturally in the body or enter via consumption of infected tissue. They can cause neurological trouble, such as memory loss, trouble speaking, and jerky movements. Scientists now believe prions may play a role in many neurological diseases, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s. Brahic takes readers on a tour of prion diseases, with stops at scrapie, mad cow disease, and kuru, the illness that plagued those people in Papua New Guinea. The book is not for the casual reader, but for people who want to dig into prion biology. It also includes bits of narrative that help propel the story.
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