Pathology of prion diseases

Prion diseases are caused by abnormal proteins called prions that misfold and become infectious. These rogue prions accumulate in the brain, damaging and destroying nerve cells, leading to widespread brain degeneration. This process results in symptoms like memory loss, personality changes, and neurological decline, and is typically progressive and fatal. Unlike bacteria or viruses, prions are resistant to standard sterilization, making these diseases particularly challenging to control and diagnose.