Video - Prions (Spongiform encephalopathy)

Spongiform encephalopathy is a neurodegenerative brain disease caused by the accumulation of misfolded prion proteins. This degeneration gives the brain a spongy appearance, hence its name. Prions can be transmitted by eating infected meat, blood transfusion, corneal transplants, and contaminated surgical instruments. There is no treatment for spongiform encephalopathy and they always result in dementia and eventually death.