spongiform encephalopathy

Spongiform encephalopathy is a group of rare, progressive brain diseases characterized by the formation of sponge-like holes in brain tissue, leading to severe neurological decline. These diseases are caused by abnormal proteins called prions that induce normal proteins to become misfolded, damaging brain cells and disrupting normal brain function. Symptoms often include rapid mental deterioration, lack of coordination, and behavioral changes. Spongiform encephalopathies can affect humans and animals; examples include Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in people and mad cow disease in cattle. They are typically fatal, and there is currently no effective cure.